Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father from Bend, Oregon, is speaking publicly about the traumatic decisions he made during the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, where his two daughters are students. After confronting and fatally shooting the teenage gunman on October 15, Giamanco has described feeling that he was the children’s last line of defense while struggling with the knowledge that several victims did not survive.
In an interview published by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) on October 23, 2026, Giamanco recounted how an ordinary school day turned into a terrifying emergency. He had dropped off his daughters earlier that morning and was driving near the school later in the day when he saw an armed teenager firing shots and heading toward the building.
The attack killed three children and a teacher and left two other people seriously injured, according to reports from authorities. Giamanco’s intervention, alongside the actions of a teacher who physically confronted the attacker, helped bring the shooting to an end before police arrived.
Although many people have praised his actions, Giamanco said he continues to replay the events in his mind and wishes he could have saved everyone who was harmed.
What Happened at Silver Rail Elementary School?
The shooting occurred on Thursday, October 15, at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, a city in central Oregon.
Authorities identified the attacker as Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old former student at the school. Police said he was armed with a shotgun and opened fire during the attack, killing three children aged 5, 8 and 11, as well as 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert.
A seven-year-old student was seriously wounded, and another teacher suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to initial police reporting.
The incident prompted an extensive emergency response and left families and the wider Bend community grieving. Investigators also began examining the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the teenager’s actions and how he obtained the firearm.
Giamanco’s involvement became known soon after the shooting, when authorities reported that a father had confronted and shot the attacker. Subsequent reporting identified him as the parent of two girls attending Silver Rail Elementary.
How Kaylub Giamanco Confronted the Gunman
Giamanco told OPB that he had dropped his daughters off at school earlier that morning because it was picture day. Later, while driving near the campus, he noticed a person carrying a firearm and firing shots.
Recognizing the danger, he called 911 before deciding to enter the school. He said he feared that children inside were in immediate danger and believed he could not wait outside while the attack continued.
Giamanco entered through a window that had been broken during the shooting. Inside, he heard children screaming and pleading for help as gunfire continued.
When he reached a classroom, he saw a teacher grappling with the armed teenager. The teacher had already attempted to stop the attacker by throwing a cellphone at him and physically confronting him.
Giamanco said he saw an opportunity to intervene while the teacher was struggling with the gunman. He entered the room and fired his handgun. When the attacker reached for his shotgun again, Giamanco fired additional shots to prevent him from continuing the attack.
The teenager died from his injuries.
Bend police credited both Giamanco and the teacher with helping stop the violence and preventing further loss of life. Their actions took place before responding officers reached the classroom.
Why Giamanco Calls Himself the Children’s Last Line of Defense
Reflecting on the incident during his interview, Giamanco described the responsibility he felt as he moved toward the school.
He said he believed he was the final barrier between the attacker and the other children inside the building.
That feeling has remained with him since the shooting. Although he has received messages of gratitude from people who believe his actions saved lives, Giamanco has struggled with the deaths of the children and teacher.
He told OPB that he wished he could apologize to the families of the children who died because he could not save them all. He expressed gratitude that some children survived while acknowledging the painful reality that others did not.
His comments reveal the emotional conflict he is experiencing. Others have praised him for acting in an emergency, but he continues to think about the victims whose lives could not be saved.
The interview also makes clear that Giamanco does not view himself as the only person responsible for stopping the attack. He expressed deep respect for the teacher who fought the gunman before he entered the classroom, saying her actions gave him an opportunity to intervene.
A Father Struggling With the Aftermath
In the days following the shooting, Giamanco and his family have had to deal with the emotional consequences of an event that took place at the school his daughters attend.
Giamanco told OPB that he has experienced difficulty sleeping and repeatedly relives the incident. He said the memories of children’s voices, screams and the moments inside the school continue to affect him.
He has also been thinking about the teenager he shot and the circumstances that led to the violence. Giamanco suggested that greater care, love and support during the young person’s life might have helped prevent the tragedy, although the attack’s underlying causes remain a matter for investigation.
The family has temporarily stayed away from home, according to the interview, partly because their house is close to the school and the sight of the campus has made it difficult to move beyond the experience.
For Giamanco, the days after the shooting have not simply been about public recognition. They have involved trying to process the trauma, support his wife and daughters, and understand how to move forward after witnessing such violence.
Who Is Kaylub Giamanco?
Kaylub Giamanco is a 36-year-old carpenter who lives in Bend, Oregon, and is the father of two daughters who attend Silver Rail Elementary School.
Before the shooting brought him national attention, he was primarily known within his family, work and local community. He told OPB that he had not expected to become a public figure and described himself as an ordinary person who was suddenly placed in an extraordinary situation.
Giamanco discussed his upbringing during the interview, explaining that he was the oldest of seven children and took on responsibilities within his family from a young age. He also described an earlier experience in which he helped save his brother after a motorcycle accident.
His work as a carpenter and his family responsibilities had shaped much of his life before the school attack. The events of October 15 have since brought him into the public spotlight, with people seeking to understand what happened and why he decided to enter the school.
His Previous Experience With Firearms
Giamanco also told OPB about previous experience with firearms. He said that, after a period away from hunting and guns, he became involved in informal shooting practice with veterans who had served in Iraq.
According to his account, he helped construct targets and barriers, and the veterans offered him instruction in firearm use. He believes that experience helped him respond during the attack.
Earlier reporting from The Guardian also noted a 2018 social media post in which Giamanco described shooting with a group of men who had served together in Iraq. However, reporting has not established a direct connection between those activities and the school shooting intervention.
Giamanco’s account of his experience is one part of the wider story, but authorities’ statements about the incident remain important for establishing the sequence of events. Police have credited both him and the teacher who fought the attacker with helping prevent further casualties.
Giamanco Wants to Turn the Tragedy Into a Call for School Safety
Giamanco has said that he wants to use the public attention surrounding the shooting to encourage improvements in school safety.
During the OPB interview, he discussed ideas for raising money to help schools improve physical security, including better doors, locks and protective measures. He also expressed support for having school resource officers at schools.
He has emphasized that he does not want the tragedy to become a political argument. Instead, he wants people to focus on protecting children and ensuring that schools are places where families can feel safe.
His comments come as the Bend community continues to mourn the victims and consider the circumstances that allowed the attack to occur.
Any changes to school safety policies will require decisions by school officials and public authorities. Giamanco’s remarks, however, reflect his desire to see something constructive emerge from an event that has profoundly affected his family and community.
Key Facts About Kaylub Giamanco and the Silver Rail Shooting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Kaylub Giamanco |
| Age | 36 |
| Location | Bend, Oregon |
| Occupation | Carpenter |
| Family connection | Father of two daughters attending Silver Rail Elementary |
| Date of shooting | October 15, 2026 |
| School | Silver Rail Elementary School |
| Attacker | Griffin J. John II, 16, a former student |
| Fatalities | Three children and teacher Meghan Lambert |
| Other reported injuries | One student and another teacher |
| Giamanco’s role | Entered the school and fatally shot the attacker |
| Other intervention | A teacher physically confronted the gunman |
| Latest development | Giamanco discussed the incident and its emotional aftermath in an OPB interview published October 23, 2026 |
What Happens Next?
The investigation into the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting and its circumstances remains important to the community. Authorities will continue to address questions about the attack, while affected families and school staff face the difficult process of recovering from the tragedy.
For Giamanco, the immediate challenge is also personal. He has described sleepless nights, distressing memories and regret over the lives that were lost despite his intervention.
He has expressed gratitude for the people who helped stop the attacker, particularly the teacher who confronted the gunman before he entered the classroom. He has also said he wants to support school safety efforts and use his experience to help protect other children.
The deaths of three students and a teacher remain the central tragedy of the incident. Giamanco’s account offers a closer look at the fear, split-second decisions and emotional consequences surrounding the effort to stop the attack.
Disclaimer
This article is based on reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting, The Associated Press, Reuters and other established news organizations. Details about the shooting and the actions of those involved reflect information released by authorities and statements made in published interviews. The investigation and the community’s response may continue to develop as additional verified information becomes available.