The mother of the Oregon father who confronted a teenage school shooter has described her son’s split-second courage and compassionate nature during the deadly attack at an elementary school.
Kenda Freeman said her 36-year-old son, Kaylub Giamanco, acted after 16-year-old Griffin John II opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday.
Speaking to CBS News, Freeman said Giamanco immediately sensed that something was wrong. He drove onto the grass, retrieved his firearm and followed the shooter toward the school, she said.
According to his mother, Giamanco then crawled through a window that had been shattered by gunfire, moving across the opening on his stomach before confronting the teenager.
The father of two called Freeman soon after the encounter, telling her what had happened.
Freeman recalled him saying, “Mom, I just shot and killed somebody.” She said she responded by asking him to explain what had taken place.
Giamanco told her that an armed man had entered his daughter’s school and was shooting children. He said he came face to face with the gunman and fired, Freeman recalled.
Residents in Bend have praised Giamanco as a hero, saying his intervention may have prevented even more children from being killed.
Kaylub Giamanco, 36, confronted and killed school shooter Griffin John II as the teenager fired at children inside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon
Giamanco’s mother said her son followed the shooter before crawling through a gunfire-damaged window and confronting him inside the school
Griffin John II, 16, killed three students and a teacher during Thursday’s attack
Freeman said her son is deeply connected to his family and neighbors, describing him as someone with “a genuine heart” who cares deeply about his community and children.
Despite being celebrated for stopping the attack, Giamanco was left emotionally shaken by what he witnessed, his mother said.
Freeman told CBS News that she reminded him he had acted bravely, made the right choice and likely saved many lives.
But Giamanco reportedly answered with grief, telling her: “Mom, I couldn’t save them all.”
Before Giamanco stopped him, John had killed three students, including five-year-old Rhoam Summer, as well as 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert. Seven-year-old Saylor Graham and educational assistant Becky Drury were also injured.
Authorities said the teenager fired 15 rounds and targeted a special-needs classroom where he had previously been a student.
The weapon had reportedly been purchased by John’s mother around his 16th birthday in August. Investigators were still trying to determine how he obtained the ammunition, with police describing the case as an active investigation.
Officials had not identified a motive.
Kenda Freeman said her son called her immediately after the shooting and told her he had killed the gunman; she has since called him a hero
Three students – ages five, eight and 11 – and one teacher were killed by the former student. The five-year-old was identified by his father as Rhoam Summer. The teacher was Meghan Lambert, 25. Saylor Graham, seven, was shot in the face, but lived
Giamanco is struggling to accept that he couldn’t save all the children and were traumatized by the experience, his mother said
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Giamanco holds a concealed carry license in hopes of protecting his family, his mother said.
Giamanco is a carpenter and a father of two girls, ages five and 10, who attend Silver Rail Elementary, his brother told NBC News.
His actions were hailed as heroic by Governor Tina Kotek shortly after the incident, crediting Giamanco with preventing ‘further loss of life.’
‘To the community member who heroically intervened…your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I want you to know my thoughts are with you as well,’ Kotek said at a press conference.
‘My heart is absolutely broken today… this is a horrible day. No parent should have to have this kind of day,’ she added.
President Donald Trump also praised Giamanco for stopping the Oregon school shooting.
‘Well, I’ll tell you what, there was a great hero. It could have been worse, as bad as it was. We had a great hero that went in and did the business,’ Trump told reporters outside of the White House on Friday.
‘He took care of business, and thank God we had him. Otherwise, it would have been much worse. It’s a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it.’
‘I looked at him point-blank, and I shot and killed him, Mom,”‘ his mother recalled him saying. Giamanco’s children attend the school
People gather for a candlelight vigil held in Drake Park to honor and remember those lost and affected by the shooting on Thursday afternoon
Community members grieve during a candlelight vigil at Drake Park
A GoFundMe has been set up for Giamanco to help pay for therapy, any legal expenses he may face, and to support him while he takes time off work following the tragedy. The fundraiser has garnered nearly $280,000 by Saturday afternoon.
‘Kaylub, his wife Kelsey, and their two young daughters have an incredibly difficult road ahead of them,’ the fundraiser stated.
‘The emotional and psychological impact of this tragedy cannot be overstated, and they deserve the time, space and resources to begin healing together.’
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr Steven Cook held back tears as he thanked emergency responders and the schools staff for their efforts to protect students during the attack on Thursday.
‘Today, an unthinkable tragedy happened at Silver Rail Elementary School,’ he began.
‘We are heartbroken. We are horrified. This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places and pray that it never happens here… today it happened to our children, our teachers and our families.’
As Cook uttered words to his community, his voice wavered when he thanked the heroic efforts of the school staff.
‘To our staff who helped our students and protected our kids today, we thank you. You did what no one should ever be asked to do. I am so grateful beyond words for your efforts,’ he said.
‘This is a time to love and care for one another…Please hold your loved ones tight tonight…We are going to rally and care for one another… We will get through this.’
‘We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,’ he said.
Community members held a prayer vigil that was lit by candlelight on Thursday for those killed in the tragedy.
