Bystander who killed Oregon shooter identified as father of girls at elementary school
The Guardian · L · trust 72/100
People at a memorial to the victims in Bend on Friday. Photograph: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images View image in fullscreen People at a memorial to the victims in Bend on Friday. Photograph: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images Oregon Bystander who killed Oregon shooter identified as father of girls at elementary school Kaylub Giamanco, who was reportedly driving home when he heard gunshots, ‘not seeking recognition’, family says
Prefer the Guardian on Google Details are beginning to emerge about Kaylub Giamanco, the man who brought the deadly shooting at elementary school in Bend, Oregon on Thursday , to an end by fatally shooting the 16-year-old suspect in the midst of a violent rampage.
Whie police have declined to release the man’s identity, Giamanco’s family issued a statement on Friday confirming that he shot and killed the suspect, identified Friday as Griffin J John II, a former Silver Rail student.
Giamanco is a lifelong resident of Bend with two daughters at Silver Rail elementary, where three children – aged five, eight and 11 – and a teacher were killed, and a seven-year-old child and another teacher injured.
Police detailed Giamanco’s actions in a Friday press conference.
Giamanco was driving by the school when he heard gunfire and saw the gunman entering the school. Armed with a .40-caliber pistol he is licensed to carry, Giamanco pulled over, followed the gunman into the school and witnessed the shooter in a scuffle with a teacher. Giamanco then fired his weapon, killing the assailant, police said.
“The tragedy at Silver Rail elementary has devastated the Bend community,” Giamanco’s family said in a statement, asking for privacy and declining further media interviews. “He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel, and community for the outpouring of love and support.”
Speaking briefly to reporters on Friday, Giamanco’s mother read the statement from her phone and said her son appreciated the support but wanted to remain private.
“Yes, my brother shot the shooter in yesterday’s events at the Bend elementary school,” Kameron Giamanco wrote in a public Facebook post on Friday that reiterated the family’s request for privacy in the aftermath of the traumatic event.
“He’s an absolute HERO. However, we are not speaking to media at this time. He’s not ready, nor is the family.”
Though she did not name him, Oregon’s governor, Tina Kotek, praised the man who followed the shooter into the school during a news conference on Thursday.
“To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life,” she said, “your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well.”
Authorities are still investigating what led to the deadly attack, and have not released a motive. The suspect was using a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother , according to reporting from the Associated Press.
“This is going to be a long investigation,” Bend’s police chief, Mike Krantz, said, adding that the police would maintain a large presence at the school for the next few days.
This story was updated on 16 October 2026 to correct the name of the shooter. His name was Griffin J John II, not John Griffin II.
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