Oregon Father Who Stopped Silver Rail School Shooter Speaks Out About the Day That Changed His Life

Kaylub Giamanco says he still struggles to process the terrifying moments when he ran into Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, to confront an armed teenager who had opened fire inside a classroom.

The 36-year-old carpenter and father of two was near the school on October 15, 2026, after dropping off his daughters. He noticed a 16-year-old carrying a shotgun and firing at a vehicle before heading toward the elementary school.

Giamanco followed the teenager into the building, carrying a handgun that he legally kept in his truck. Inside, he encountered a teacher struggling with the armed student. He fired several shots, killing the attacker.

The shooting left three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert dead. Another child and a teacher were wounded. Police said the teacher who confronted the shooter helped prevent further casualties by tackling him and trying to take control of the shotgun.

In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Giamanco described the incident as the scariest day of his life. He said he has been dealing with the emotional impact of what happened, including the weight of having taken another person’s life.

He also expressed sorrow for the families who lost loved ones, saying he wished he could have saved more people.

“I do want to believe that if he had more love in his life and better parenting, that this could have been prevented,” Giamanco said, reflecting on the teenager’s background.

The suspected shooter was identified by police as Griffin John II, a former Silver Rail student who had previously attended the school’s special education program. Authorities said the motive remained under investigation.

Police praised Giamanco and the teacher who physically confronted the attacker, saying their actions helped stop the violence. The incident unfolded within minutes, leaving the Bend community grieving and raising difficult questions about school safety.

Giamanco has said he does not see himself as a hero. His focus, he explained, remains on the children, school staff and families whose lives were forever changed by the shooting.

Sources: DAILYMAIL