911 Call Captures Father’s Rush to Stop Oregon School Gunman

On October 15, Kaylub Giamanco called 911 after seeing an armed attacker at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, where his two daughters were students. Newly released audio captures him telling the dispatcher that someone with a gun was at the school and warning he might shoot the attacker. The dispatcher urged him to wait for police and said officers were on their way.

Giamanco, 36, reported that the attacker had entered the building and that people were being shot. He then stopped speaking with the dispatcher and went inside. He later said he heard children pleading and gunfire as he crawled toward the school, fearing he might not survive.

Police Chief Mike Krantz said Giamanco entered with a .40-caliber handgun he kept in his vehicle. Inside, a teacher was struggling with the 16-year-old gunman after throwing a cellphone at him and tackling him. Giamanco fired multiple times, stopping the attack.

Three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, along with educator Meghan Lambert, died. One student and a second teacher suffered injuries. The teacher who confronted the attacker praised by Giamanco was described by him as a hero for creating an opportunity to intervene.

Giamanco has expressed gratitude for those he helped while grieving those who died. Lambert’s family thanked him for risking his life, while also acknowledging the emotional toll of his actions.