Kaylub Giamanco: Oregon Father Who Stopped School Shooter Says He Was Children’s Last Line of Defense

BEND, Oregon — Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father whose daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary School, says he continues to struggle emotionally after confronting a teenage gunman during a deadly attack at the school on October 15, 2026.

Giamanco described himself as the children’s “last line of defense” after seeing the armed attacker heading toward the school. Although his actions helped bring the rampage to an end, he has expressed deep regret over the children and teacher who lost their lives.

The attack claimed the lives of three students, aged 5, 8 and 11, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert. Another student and a teacher were also injured. The tragedy has shaken Bend and drawn attention to the people who intervened while children and staff were in danger.

Kaylub Giamanco’s Response to the School Shooting

According to reporting by The Associated Press and Oregon Public Broadcasting, Giamanco was driving past Silver Rail Elementary when he saw the gunman firing at people outside the school and moving toward the building.

He called 911 before entering the school through a broken window with his legally carried handgun. Inside, he encountered a teacher struggling with the attacker.

The teacher had already confronted the gunman, throwing her phone at him and physically tackling him in an effort to stop the attack. Giamanco then fired at the teenager when he saw an opportunity to intervene.

Authorities have credited the actions of Giamanco and the teacher with helping prevent further loss of life.

Despite the public praise, Giamanco has spoken about the emotional burden of surviving such a traumatic event and the pain of knowing that some children and a teacher could not be saved.

A Father Haunted by Those He Could Not Save

Giamanco is the father of two girls who attend Silver Rail Elementary. His connection to the school made the attack especially personal, as he knew his own children were part of the school community.

In his first interview following the shooting, he described replaying the events in his mind and struggling with the lives lost. He expressed a wish that he could have arrived sooner and saved everyone.

His reflections show the complicated emotions that can follow a traumatic emergency. Even when someone’s actions help stop an attack, the deaths and injuries that occur can leave lasting distress.

His family has requested privacy while he and his daughters recover from the experience. Giamanco has also expressed gratitude to first responders, school personnel and members of the community who have offered support.

The Attack at Silver Rail Elementary School

The shooting occurred on Thursday, October 15, at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Police identified the attacker as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former student at the school.

Authorities said the teenager fired a shotgun during the attack. Three children and teacher Megan Lambert were killed, while another seven-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher, Becky Drury, were injured.

A teacher confronted the gunman before Giamanco intervened. Police arrived within minutes of the first emergency calls, and the attacker was fatally shot inside the school.

Investigators have been examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how the teenager obtained the firearm. Authorities have not established a definitive motive in the reporting reviewed for this article.

The incident has left families grieving and prompted a wider conversation about school safety, emergency response and the emotional impact of violence on children and educators.

Kaylub Giamanco Personal Details

Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting Details

Community Support and Recovery

Following the shooting, families, school staff and Bend residents began grappling with the loss and its emotional consequences. Flowers and other tributes were placed near the school as people gathered to remember the victims.

Giamanco’s family has asked for privacy during this difficult period. While public attention has focused on his intervention, his own account underscores that he is also a person affected by the violence and the lives lost.

The school community faces the longer process of grieving, supporting surviving students and staff, and helping families navigate the aftermath of the attack.

A Lasting Impact

Kaylub Giamanco’s actions during the Silver Rail Elementary shooting have been widely praised by officials and members of the community. Yet his own words reveal that public recognition does not erase the pain of what happened.

His account highlights the teacher who confronted the gunman, the emergency responders who arrived at the scene, and the families whose lives were changed by the attack.

As Bend continues to mourn the victims, the focus remains on remembering those who died, supporting the injured and helping the school community recover.

Disclaimer

This article is based on reporting from The Associated Press and other published news coverage. Details about the shooting and Giamanco’s response are attributed to those reports. The emotional effects described are based on his reported public statements and should not be interpreted as a medical diagnosis. The investigation and recovery of those affected may continue to develop.