A Swift Response to Tragedy

An armed civilian has been identified as the individual who stopped a deadly attack at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Kaylub Giamanco, a local resident and father of two students attending the school, acted decisively when a 16-year-old gunman entered the facility and began firing, resulting in the deaths of three children and a teacher within a special needs classroom.


The Moments of Intervention

According to reports, Giamanco was in the vicinity when he witnessed the assailant entering the school building. Upon hearing gunfire, he immediately moved toward the scene to confront the shooter. Recounting the harrowing events to his mother, Giamanco described the encounter: «A man went into my daughters’ school and shot kids. I looked at him point blank and I shot and killed him, mom.»


Giamanco’s mother, Freeman, noted her son’s bravery during the incident, explaining that he sensed danger, armed himself, and pursued the shooter back into the school, eventually entering through a window shattered by the attacker.


The Emotional Toll

While Giamanco is credited with preventing further loss of life, he is struggling with the weight of the tragedy. Freeman shared that her son is deeply affected by the outcome, stating, «He’s having a hard time with it—the idea of not being able to save them all. When he closes his eyes, he thinks about what could I have done differently? How could I have done it better?»


Despite his actions, Giamanco is not seeking personal recognition. Instead, he has expressed his profound gratitude toward the first responders, school staff, and the local community for their overwhelming support during this difficult time.


Details Regarding the Attack

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed that the attacker, a 16-year-old former student at the school, fired approximately 15 rounds using a 12-gauge shotgun. Investigators noted that the suspect had 44 rounds of ammunition remaining when he was neutralized.


The victims have been identified as follows:

  • Rhoam Summer, 5 (the youngest victim).
  • Two other children, aged 8 and 11, whose identities have been withheld at the request of their families.
  • Megan Lambert, a 25-year-old teacher.

Additionally, a 7-year-old student and another educator, Becky Drury, remain hospitalized in serious condition.