A father of two is being hailed as a hero after police said he intervened to stop a deadly shooting at his daughters’ elementary school in Bend, Oregon.
Authorities said a shooter opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher. Another student and a teacher suffered critical injuries, officials said.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the 36-year-old parent witnessed the suspected gunman fire at a truck outside the school. The bystander followed the teenager into the building and fatally shot him inside a special needs classroom, where the attack continued, according to the chief.
The man’s family identified him Friday as Kaylub Giamanco.
Giamanco, a lifelong Bend resident whose two daughters attend the school, was driving nearby when he heard the disturbance and rushed inside, his family said. They confirmed that he has a concealed carry permit.
His family described him as thoughtful and empathetic, adding that he is overwhelmed by what happened and regrets that he could not save more lives.
“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,” the family said in a statement to ABC News.
The family also “respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time and will not be participating in interviews,” the statement said.
Officials praised Giamanco for acting quickly to pursue the suspected shooter and bring the attack to an end.
“I don’t think we can underestimate or underappreciate that courage,” Krantz said during a Friday press briefing. “When someone is willing to risk their own life for others, we recognize that. And the quick thinking to observe, to then park and follow someone into the school is incredible and undoubtedly saved people.”
President Donald Trump called Giamanco “a great hero” while speaking with reporters outside the White House on Friday.
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“He took care of business, and thank God we had him. Otherwise it would have been much worse,” the president said.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said Giamanco “heroically intervened to stop further loss of life.”
The family of Megan Lambert, a 25-year-old teacher killed in the shooting, also praised Giamanco and expressed its gratitude.
“We know he is going through a rough time, but we are grateful and we think he is a hero,” the family said in a statement read on its behalf during Friday’s briefing. “You selflessly put yourself at risk for others.”
Police also commended another teacher who confronted the shooter after he entered the special needs classroom, throwing her cellphone at him.
Krantz said the teacher then “tackled him and fought to take the firearm from him,” adding that she “almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed.”
The police chief did not release the teacher’s name and said she was not injured.
“The teacher who is willing to stand and fight for her children — incredible. And I think we all recognize that that is true heroism,” he said. “We don’t see that a lot in society, and we recognize it when we when we need to, and our community appreciates it.”
ABC News’ Nicholas Kerr contributed to this report.
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