OREGON, UNITED STATES | TUNGARU PRESS | October 25, 2026
An Oregon father who fatally shot a gunman during an attack at an elementary school has spoken publicly for the first time about the terrifying moments that led him to intervene, describing his fear for the children inside and the emotional burden he continues to carry.
Kaylub Giamanco, a carpenter and father from Bend, Oregon, intervened during a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School earlier this month.
Three students and a teacher were killed before Giamanco confronted the teenage gunman and shot him dead, according to a report by PBS NewsHour.
In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Giamanco described how an ordinary journey home for lunch turned into a desperate effort to prevent further deaths.
Father Spots Armed Gunman Near School
Giamanco said he was driving past Silver Rail Elementary School when he noticed a person carrying a firearm near the building.
Recognising the potential danger to the children inside, he drove into the school parking area to investigate.
He recalled feeling overwhelmed by panic as he watched the armed individual move across the school grounds.
His immediate concern was that young children were inside the building and could be in danger.
Giamanco contacted emergency services through his phone and began reporting what he had seen.
However, he said he became increasingly worried about the time it would take for help to arrive.
As the emergency dispatcher continued asking questions, he decided he could not remain outside while the situation unfolded.
He told the dispatcher that he needed to enter the building because he feared more people could be killed.
Teacher's Intervention Creates Opportunity
Giamanco said he approached the school and looked through a window.
Inside, he saw a teacher physically struggling with the gunman.
According to his account, the teacher was attempting to restrain the attacker despite the danger posed by the firearm.
Giamanco said the struggle created a brief opportunity for him to intervene.
He entered the room and fired at the gunman.
The teacher immediately fled the building, apparently fearing that Giamanco was another attacker.
He recalled seeing the fear on her face and said the moment had stayed with him.
Giamanco said he then noticed the wounded gunman attempting to reach his weapon.
Fearing the attacker could continue shooting, he fired again.
The gunman died at the scene.
Father Credits Teacher With Saving Lives
Although Giamanco has been praised for stopping the attacker, he has emphasised the bravery of the teacher who confronted the gunman.
He said her actions created the opportunity for him to intervene without being directly confronted by the armed attacker.
Giamanco believes the outcome could have been very different without her intervention.
He described the teacher as a genuine hero for putting herself in danger to protect the children.
He also expressed a desire to meet her and thank her personally.
At the time of the interview, he said he did not know her name.
His account highlights the extraordinary risks faced by school staff during the attack.
Emotional Impact of Taking a Life
Giamanco also spoke about the psychological impact of the confrontation.
He described experiencing intense physical distress during the incident, including severe chest pain.
The carpenter said he had never imagined that an ordinary Thursday would end with him taking another person's life.
Although he believes his actions prevented further deaths, he acknowledged that the experience has been deeply traumatic.
He said he felt he had been in the right place at the right time, but struggled with the reality of what had happened.
His comments revealed the emotional complexity of intervening in a life-threatening situation, even when the intervention is intended to protect others.
Grief for Children He Could Not Save
One of the most emotional parts of Giamanco's interview concerned the victims who died before he could stop the attack.
Three students and one teacher lost their lives in the shooting.
Giamanco said he wanted to meet the victims' families, offer comfort and share their grief.
Despite receiving gratitude from people who believe he saved lives, he said he continues to struggle with the thought that he could not save everyone.
He expressed sorrow for the children and teacher who died and said their deaths remain the most difficult part of the experience.
His remarks reflected a mixture of grief, responsibility and concern for the families affected by the tragedy.
Community Faces Difficult Recovery
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School has left families and residents of Bend confronting the loss of young lives and an educator.
Giamanco's interview has drawn attention to the actions of ordinary people who found themselves facing an extraordinary emergency.
His account also highlights the courage of the teacher who attempted to stop the gunman before he entered the room.
While Giamanco's intervention ended the immediate threat, the consequences of the attack continue to affect the victims' families, surviving students, school staff and the wider community.
The tragedy has renewed attention to the devastating impact of gun violence in American schools.
A Father Remembering the Lives Lost
Giamanco has made clear that he does not view the incident simply as an act of personal bravery.
Instead, he continues to think about the children and teacher who died and the families whose lives have been permanently changed.
He believes the teacher's intervention was crucial and wants her courage to be recognised alongside his own actions.
For the Oregon father, the experience has brought both gratitude that more lives were not lost and profound sadness over those he could not protect.
His account is a reminder that even when an attacker is stopped, the consequences of a school shooting can leave lasting emotional scars on everyone involved.
Original reporting: Azhar Merchant, PBS NewsHour, October 23, 2026. Interview conducted by Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Sources: PBS NewsHour and Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Adapted and rewritten for Tungaru Press
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