Kaylub Giamanco describes sleepless nights after saving daughters' school

Kaylub Giamanco lies awake at night, replaying the sounds of screams and gunfire.

The 36-year-old carpenter spoke to Oregon Public Broadcasting on Friday about the emotional weight of stopping a shooter at his daughters' school. He said he wants to apologize to the parents of the four students and teachers killed. "I want to apologise for not saving their babies," Giamanco stated. He added that while gratitude for saving lives is great, the knowledge of those he could not save remains heavy.

The attack occurred earlier this month at Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon. A 16-year-old former student, Griffin J John II, opened fire in a classroom. Three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, and one teacher died. Six people in total were shot. Two others, including a teacher, were wounded. Police said the gunman had attended special education classes at the school. His motive is still under investigation.

Giamanco was near the school that morning because it was picture day. He and his wife had spent extra time preparing their daughters. Giamanco had taken lunch to work but decided to go home to eat with his wife. As he drove past the school, he heard gunshots. He initially thought someone was playing a prank with a long gun. He saw the attacker shoot a pickup truck and head toward the building. Giamanco grabbed a handgun from his vehicle and called emergency services. He told dispatchers he had to go inside because people were going to die.

He crawled toward the school after hearing children plead for their lives. He told himself it was probably the last thing he would ever do. Giamanco entered through a shattered window. Inside the classroom, a teacher was locked in a struggle with the gunman. The teacher, who later threw her phone at the attacker and tackled him, had been fighting to take his shotgun. Giamanco opened the door and fired. He shot again when the attacker reached for his weapon. He placed his gun on the ground and raised his hands when an officer arrived.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the teacher who confronted the shooter almost certainly prevented more bloodshed. Giamanco credited that teacher with giving him the chance to intervene without losing his own life. He said he would love to give her a hug because she is a true hero. The youngest victim was Rhoam Summer, aged five. His father said the family was broken and lost. Megan Lambert, 25, the teacher who died, was working in what her family described as her dream job. The other two boys have not been publicly named. The injured teacher is Becky Drury, 54. She said in a statement that the gunman shot her as she tried to shut her classroom door.

Giamanco's name became public less than a day after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, read a family statement saying he was not seeking recognition. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised his intervention while acknowledging the emotional cost. She said his actions carry a heavy burden and that her thoughts were with him. Giamanco told the broadcaster that he relives the faces and voices from that morning every night.