Man who killed school shooter says he regrets there were children he didn't save

Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter whose two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, spoke publicly for the first time on Friday regarding the events of October 15. In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Giamanco detailed the harrowing minutes during which he fatally shot the teenager responsible for killing three students and a teacher at the school. While officials and the public have hailed him as a hero for stopping the rampage, Giamanco expressed deep regret over the lives he could not save, stating that he feels he failed the families of the victims. The day began with routine preparations at home. Giamanco and his wife spent extra time getting their daughters ready for school because it was picture day. After dropping them off, Giamanco drove to his workplace. He had packed a lunch but decided to drive home to eat with his wife instead. It was while driving past the elementary school that he witnessed the start of the attack. He observed a man dressed in black holding a long gun firing at a pickup truck and a person mowing the lawn. Initially believing it might be a prank, Giamanco watched as the shooter tossed the firearm over the school fence and climbed onto the property. Panic set in immediately. Giamanco opened the center console of his truck and retrieved a .40-caliber handgun he rarely used. He also grabbed the weapon's magazine from another compartment. As he drove into the school parking lot, he instructed his car’s voice assistant to dial 911. When the dispatcher began asking questions, Giamanco interrupted, telling the operator he had to go inside because people were going to die. He ended the call and proceeded toward the building. Giamanco described moving low to avoid detection, army-crawling across the ground toward the school entrance. He heard the shooter fire two shots into the locked glass doors. As he drew closer, he heard children pleading for their lives, followed by the sound of gunfire. He told himself that this was likely the last action he would ever take. He entered the building through a window that had been shattered by the initial volley. Inside, Giamanco located the special education classroom where the confrontation was taking place. He saw a female teacher struggling with the gunman. According to police, the teacher, who has not been publicly identified, threw her phone at the attacker and wrestled with him to disarm him. This struggle provided Giamanco with an opening. He swung the door open and fired his pistol. Both the shooter and the teacher fell to the floor. The teacher quickly ran from the room, while the shooter scrambled for his shotgun. Fearing the attacker might harm others, Giamanco fired two additional shots to ensure the boy could not move. Police later identified the shooter as Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old former student at Silver Rail Elementary. The attack resulted in the deaths of three male students, aged five, eight, and 11, and one 25-year-old teacher. A seven-year-old girl and a 54-year-old teacher were wounded. Another teacher in the classroom, Becky Drury, stated in a release that she lay on the floor pretending to be dead after being struck at close range by a shotgun blast that nearly severed her left hand. Following the incident, Giamanco returned to his truck, unloaded his weapon, and contacted his wife and then his mother, Kenda Freeman, who resides in California. During the call, his mother reassured him that he had done the right thing and saved lives. Giamanco responded that he had not saved everyone. In the interview, he apologized to the families of the deceased, saying he wished to meet them to cry and hold them. He described himself as the last line of defense between the gunman and the remaining children. Giamanco credited the unidentified teacher who engaged the shooter with giving him the opportunity to intervene without losing his own life. He described her as a true hero and expressed a desire to embrace her. He noted that while he carries his firearm legally in his vehicle, the situation required immediate action. He stated that he genuinely believes he was meant to be present at that specific moment, acknowledging that without his intervention, the outcome might have been worse. Officials have praised Giamanco’s actions. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said he heroically intervened to prevent further loss of life. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz highlighted the role of the teacher who tackled the shooter, noting that her actions almost certainly prevented more casualties. President Donald Trump referred to Giamanco as a great hero who took care of business. Giamanco said he felt a mix of gratitude for saving some children and profound sorrow for those he could not protect. He emphasized that his primary concern now is supporting the grieving families. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting continues, with authorities focusing on the history of the 16-year-old suspect.