Hero father who stopped teenage gunman at Oregon school recalls hearing children pleading for their lives

October 28, 2026

The father who stopped a teenage gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, said he heard children “pleading” for their lives before he acted and he regrets that he didn’t save everyone.

The Christian Post reports that 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, in an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, praised an unnamed teacher who wrestled with the 16-year-old shooter, Griffin J. John II, giving him a better chance to take the gunman down.

The gunman killed three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher while a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also hospitalized with critical injuries.

Giamanco said he first called police after witnessing the gunman fire at a pickup driver before the gunman forced his way into the school.

After watching the gunman enter the school, Giamanco recalled telling the 911 dispatcher, “I’m sorry, I have to go in. People are going to die.”

As he followed the shooter, Giamanco said he “started hearing children pleading for their lives. And then I started hearing gunfire, and I just started army crawling faster and faster. And I told myself this was probably the last thing that I’m ever going to do.”

The carpenter was able to shoot and kill the gunman who was in a physical altercation with a teacher.

According to the Christian Post, Giamanco praised the teacher who struggled with the gunman, saying, “I don’t know her name. I would love to know her name. I would love to give her a hug because that’s a real true hero. To not have a weapon and to put yourself in between your babies and a firearm. You know, it’s a lot.”

Giamanco said he always wanted to make a difference in life and he now feels inspired to raise awareness about the need for school security nationwide.

Photo: top, Credit: YouTube/Oregon Public Broadcasting and PBS NewsHour