Kaylub Giamanco has described his intervention at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend in an interview published by Oregon Public Broadcasting on October 23. The 36-year-old carpenter said he called 911 before following the gunman onto school grounds. He told the dispatcher he needed to go inside because people were going to die.
Giamanco said he crawled through a window that had been shot out and approached the special education classroom. Inside, he saw a teacher struggling with the attacker. He described entering and firing, then shooting again when the teenager reached for his weapon.
He also recalled placing his gun on the ground and raising his hands when an officer appeared. His account adds his own recollections to the earlier account his brother shared with NBC News. The interview describes Giamanco’s experience; the police investigation remains ongoing.
Bend Police’s October 16 statement said an armed parent entered the school, encountered a teacher fighting the gunman and fatally shot the attacker. Police separately credited the uninjured teacher with throwing her cellphone at him and attempting to take his firearm. Three children and teacher Megan Lambert were killed in the October 15 attack. Educational assistant Becky Drury and a seven-year-old student were wounded.
How many men would be brave enough to do what Kaylub did? None of us can know for certain how we would respond to something so horrifying. Kaylub put his own life at risk to confront the gunman, and we believe hero is a fitting word for him. The teacher who fought the attacker deserves that recognition, too. Our hearts are with the families mourning three children and Megan Lambert, with those who were wounded, and with everyone at Silver Rail facing life after this attack.
KTVZ said October 23 that OPB shared the interview after Giamanco asked to limit interviews. TOL has also covered the fundraiser supporting Giamanco and his family. Its stated purposes include counseling, lost wages and everyday expenses.
If you would like to watch the full interview, head over to OPB here.
