The bystander who intervened and killed the gunman during Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has been identified as Kaylub Giamanco. The suspected shooter was identified as 16-year-old John J. Griffin, who killed 3 children and a teacher, according to reports.
Giamanco’s brother, Kyle Giamanco, identified him as the bystander who confronted the gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School. Speaking to NBC News, Kyle said his brother was driving home after lunch when he heard gunshots and saw the armed teenager entering the school his 2 young daughters attend.
The 36-year-old carpenter, who had a concealed-carry permit, decided to follow the gunman inside and stop him. Authorities have praised the community member for intervening, saying his actions prevented further loss of life.
Kyle said his brother does not want to speak publicly about the incident because he feels guilty that he could not save more children.
One of the children killed in the shooting was identified by his parent as Rhoam Summers. In a statement shared with members of their sword-fighting community, the parent said the family was devastated by the loss and thanked friends and relatives for their support.
The suspect’s mother, Shauntai May Nickerson, spoke to reporters outside her apartment Friday morning. She said she was sorry and that she missed her son, describing him as “a good boy, he really was.” Nickerson also said she could not discuss how he obtained the weapon used in the attack.
A law enforcement official told NBC News that the weapon was a Maverick 88, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun that belonged to the teenager’s mother. Investigators are continuing to examine how the suspect obtained the firearm.
Nickerson had previously spoken to local television station NewsChannel 21 in 2020, when her son was 10. She said he had special needs and was looking forward to returning to the classroom after COVID-19 school closures. “I think it will be great,” she said at the time, adding that she was not certified to teach a student with special needs.
Police said the first 911 call came at 12:59 p.m. local time from a person who reported being shot at multiple times by someone carrying a long gun. Dispatchers received additional calls reporting that a gunman had entered the school, prompting an alert to law enforcement. Officers arrived at about 1:02 p.m. and found the suspect dead.
Authorities said the shooter entered the school by firing through locked doors. His motive has not been publicly established.
The shooting killed 3 children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were critically injured and taken to St. Charles Medical Center. The investigation remains ongoing.