Brother Identifies Local Carpenter as Hero Who Stopped Oregon School Shooter
A 36-year-old carpenter is identified as the man who stopped a deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, preventing further tragedy.
POLICY WIRE — Bend, Oregon — A 36-year-old carpenter named Kaylub Giamanco has been identified by his brother as the individual who intervened to stop a gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School. Giamanco was returning from lunch when he witnessed the suspect entering the school where his own two daughters are enrolled, prompting him to rush inside and neutralize the threat.
Authorities have confirmed that the actions of this community member prevented additional casualties during the attack. Police identified the suspect as 16-year-old John J. Griffin, who reportedly gained access to the building by firing through locked doors. Senior law enforcement officials noted that the firearm used in the incident was purchased by the suspect’s mother around the time of his birthday in August.
The tragedy resulted in the deaths of one teacher and three children, aged 5, 8, and 11. Two others, including a 7-year-old and a second teacher, sustained critical injuries during the event.
Kyle Giamanco described his brother as a hero, though he noted that Kaylub is currently struggling with feelings of guilt over not being able to save more lives. Longtime friend Dylan Costa, who was working nearby at the time, noted that Kaylub has a history of decisive action, having previously saved another brother’s life by applying a tourniquet after a severe motorcycle accident.
The response to the shooting was rapid, with police arriving on the scene just three minutes after the initial 911 call. Multiple witnesses reported the gunman’s movements, including one individual who was fired upon while driving near the school after confronting the suspect near the playground fence.
Parents described a harrowing scene as they waited for information at a designated reunification site. Jenn Johnston, who was reunited with her son after hours of uncertainty, recounted the moment she received a text from her fifth-grade child confirming he was safe despite the lockdown.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
