Driver, Dad and Teacher Tried to Stop Oregon School Shooter

A 16-year-old gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on a weekday in October, initiating a chain of events that saw at least three individuals attempt to intervene and stop him. The shooter, who had previously attended the school, scaled a chain-link fence and entered the school grounds with a shotgun.

A driver, who was in a red truck, was the first to encounter the shooter. The driver yelled at the boy, prompting the shooter to fire at the truck, hitting it at least three times. The driver was unharmed and drove away to call 911.

Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter and father of children attending the school, witnessed the shooting of the red truck and saw the assailant heading toward the school. Giamanco, who had a legally stored firearm in his vehicle, drove into the school parking lot as the shooter broke through a glass door.

Inside the school, the gunman entered a classroom, where he fired his shotgun multiple times. The teacher and four children were present in or near the classroom. One teacher threw a phone at the shooter and then tackled him, attempting to gain control of the weapon. Giamanco, hearing the gunfire, moved toward the disturbance. He then shot the gunman multiple times, killing him.

Three children, aged 5, 8, and 11, were killed in the classroom. Another child sustained critical injuries. A teacher, identified as 25-year-old Megan Lambert, was killed. Another teacher was injured, with shots to her arm and hand.

Linda Sanchez, the mother of a first-grader who hid with his teacher, described the fear she felt upon receiving a lockdown alert and hearing emergency vehicles approaching.

The entire incident unfolded over a span of just a few minutes. Police arrived on the scene shortly before Giamanco fatally shot the assailant, identified as Griffin John II. Investigators later found approximately 15 spent shell casings and 44 unused rounds of ammunition.

Authorities, including Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, acknowledged the bravery of those who intervened. Krantz stated that the quick thinking and willingness of individuals to risk their own lives were crucial in potentially saving more lives. He specifically commended the teacher who confronted the shooter and Giamanco for his actions.