Oregon father recounts trauma after shooting down school attacker

Six people were shot in a classroom at Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon earlier this month, resulting in the deaths of three students and one teacher. The attack was stopped by Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter and father of two girls who attends the school. Giamanco fatally shot the 16-year-old gunman, Griffin J. John II, after crawling into the building through a broken window.

The shooting began on a Tuesday when Giamanco decided to return home for lunch instead of eating at his job. He was driving past the school when he saw the former student firing a shotgun at a pickup truck. Giamanco retrieved a handgun from his car and called emergency services before entering the building. He stated that he believed he was the last line of defense between the children and the attacker.

Inside the classroom, Giamanco found a teacher struggling with the gunman. He opened the door and fired, shooting the attacker again as the boy reached for his weapon. The teacher who confronted the shooter had thrown her phone at him and tackled him to ground him. Police Chief Mike Krantz said the teacher's actions likely prevented more casualties. Giamanco placed his gun on the floor and raised his hands when an officer arrived.

Three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, were killed in the incident. The youngest victim, Rhoam Summer, was five years old. His father described the family as broken and lost. The other two boys have not been publicly named at their families' request. The teacher killed in the attack was Megan Lambert, 25, whose family said she always fought for students with special needs. Another teacher, Becky Drury, 54, and one student were also wounded.

Giamanco spoke with Oregon Public Broadcasting on Friday about the emotional aftermath of the event. He said he lies awake at night replaying the sounds of the classroom. He described hearing children pleading for their lives and the sound of gunfire. He said he wanted to meet the victims' families to hold them and cry with them. He also expressed a desire to hug the teacher who fought the gunman, calling her a true hero.

Giamanco's identity became public less than a day after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, read a statement asking for privacy and noting that he was not seeking recognition. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised Giamanco's intervention while acknowledging the heavy emotional burden his actions carry. Giamanco said he feels he was supposed to be there that day and that he is sorry he could not save more children.