Hero Father Recounts Fatal Encounter With Oregon School Shooter

A civilian recounted calling his mother immediately after fatally shooting a teenage gunman to stop a massacre at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. The civilian, identified as Kaylub Giamanco, 36, was reportedly driving past Silver Rail Elementary School when he observed the 16-year-old suspect, Griffin John, entering the building with a firearm.

According to accounts, Giamanco saw John throw his long gun over a fence and begin firing at a person who attempted to confront him. As the teenage shooter forced his way through locked doors toward a former special education classroom, Giamanco pursued him. Giamanco entered the classroom and engaged the gunman, who was armed with a Maverick 88 12-gauge shotgun, while a teacher attempted to disarm him. Giamanco discharged his legally concealed weapon multiple times, fatally shooting John before the assailant could fire more rounds.

"He said, 'Mom, I just shot and killed somebody.' And I said, 'Kaylub, tell me about it,'" Giamanco's mother, Karen Freeman, told KOVR-TV, her voice filled with emotion. She recounted her son’s call: "And he said, ‘A man went into my daughter’s school and shot kids.’ And he said, ‘And I looked at him point blank, and I shot and killed him, mom.'"

Giamanco's two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary, but he happened to be passing by at the time of the incident. The shooting resulted in the deaths of three students and one teacher, with another student and teacher sustaining critical injuries.

The victims were identified as 5-year-old Rhoam Summer, an 8-year-old, an 11-year-old, and teacher Megan Lambert, 25. Critically injured were 7-year-old Saylor Graham, who is in a wheelchair, and teacher Becky Drury, 54.

School officials announced that Silver Rail Elementary School will permanently close following the tragic event.