Oregon School Defense: Carpenter Details Anguish Over Unsaved Students

A 36-year-old carpenter who stopped a school shooting in Oregon has described the emotional weight of the children he could not rescue. Kaylub Giamanco fatally wounded a 16-year-old gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School earlier this month. Three students and one teacher died in the attack.

Giamanco spoke in an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting that aired on Friday. He addressed the families of the victims directly. 'I want to apologise for not saving their babies,' he said. He acknowledged the gratitude for those he saved but emphasized the loss of others.

The gunman, identified as Griffin J John II, was a former student in special education classes at the school. Police stated that six people were shot in a classroom. Three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, were killed. A teacher, Megan Lambert, 25, also died. Another student and a teacher, Becky Drury, 54, were wounded.

Giamanco credited a teacher for giving him the chance to intervene. That teacher fought the attacker, throwing her phone at him and tackling him to take his shotgun. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the teacher 'almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed.' Giamanco described her as a 'real true hero.'

The day began normally for Giamanco. He and his wife prepared their daughters for school picture day. He drove to work but returned home to eat lunch with his wife. This route took him past the school as the attack started. He saw the gunman fire at a pickup truck and approach the building.

Giamanco retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and called emergency services. He told the dispatcher he was going in because people were going to die. He followed the attacker, who shot through the school's locked glass doors. Hearing children plead for their lives, Giamanco crawled toward the building.

He crawled through a shattered window and reached the classroom. He found the teacher locked in a struggle with the gunman. Giamanco opened the door and fired. He shot the attacker again when the boy reached for his weapon. Giamanco then placed his gun on the ground and raised his hands as an officer arrived.

Giamanco described himself as the 'last line of defence' that day. He said he felt he was supposed to be there. After the confrontation, he called his wife to tell her to come to the school immediately. He then called his mother to explain the events.

The youngest victim, Rhoam Summer, was five years old. His father said the family was 'broken and lost.' Lambert's family described her work as her 'dream job.' They noted that she always fought for the underdog and those with special needs. The other two boys have not been publicly named.

Giamanco's identity became public less than 24 hours after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, issued a statement asking for privacy and noting that he did not seek recognition. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised his actions and acknowledged the emotional burden they carry. Giamanco said he now lies awake at night, replaying the events and hearing the screams.