Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter and lifelong resident of Bend, Oregon, has been named as the man who intervened and stopped a deadly shooting incident in Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, October 15, 2026. According to reports from the police department, Giamanco entered the school premises with the 16-year-old gunman and shot him after he killed three children and their teacher.
As per the statement released by Bend police, the first 911 call was received at 12:59 p.m. The suspect, a 16-year-old boy resident of Bend who had attended the same school before, broke into the building by shooting several rounds through the glass of the locked door, according to Mike Krantz, the chief of Bend police.
Three children, aged 5, 8, and 11 years, and one teacher died in the incident.
One 7-year-old child and one 54-year-old teacher were rushed to a local Bend hospital. The identity of the suspect is yet to be revealed by authorities.
The brother of Kaylub Giamanco, Kyle Giamanco, reported to NBC News that he was driving his kids back home after having their lunch when he heard some shots followed by the entry of the gunman into the school.
He is a father to two girls studying at Silver Rail. He is reportedly carrying a concealed handgun, and the police report that he chased down the suspect into the school and shot him dead.
The first police from Bend arrived at the crime scene by 1:02 p.m., minutes after receiving the first 911 call, realizing that the suspect had already been shot by a community member after witnessing him enter the school premises and chasing him down.
Krantz reports that Giamanco, along with one of the teachers who tackled the gunman, saved countless lives.
As per Governor Tina Kotek, she thanked the man for stopping the murderer without naming him as the police started coming.
Key Facts
- When and where: Thursday, October 15, 2026, Silver Rail Elementary School, Bend, Oregon.
- Killed: Three children (age 5, 8, and 11) and one teacher. The 16-year-old suspect was killed.
- Seriously injured: One 7-year-old boy and one 54-year-old teacher.
- Timeline: First 911 call—12:59 p.m. and first police response—1:02 p.m.
- Giamanco: Age 36, carpenter, father of two girls at the school.
The mother of Giamanco, Kenda Freeman, read a statement to the media on Friday, stating that he is the individual who stopped the shooter. There was a family statement released saying that he does not want any recognition but thanks first responders, faculty members, and the community for their overwhelming support for him.
The family further pointed out that the incident was devastating for the town of Bend. The family requested privacy and stated that they do not intend to make interviews.
President Donald Trump referred to Giamanco as a "great hero" on Friday.
A parent of a kindergartner attending Silver Rail Elementary School, Brooke Olsen, told AP she was astonished by a civilian taking the initiative to stop the shooter inside the school building.
Mayor Melanie Kebler of Bend said there is going to be a vigil in honor of the four people who lost their lives, and flowers are placed at the school entrance.
For most people in Bend, the tragedy is about the loss of lives, both of the victims and their families.
The police have stated that all the families are notified. The officials noted that there will be a large police presence at the school for several days. It is expected that there will be counseling services offered by Silver Rail Elementary as well as the rest of the school district.
What happened in this case will surely fuel the debate across the country regarding the issues of the safety of schools, armed civilians, and gun control. Supporters of the use of guns for self-defense cite this case as evidence that an immediate response can prevent casualties.
Meanwhile, the other side of the debate emphasizes prevention measures and security at the entrance to schools, among other issues. The police have not commented much on these questions; the investigation is ongoing.
The investigators will keep checking on the timeline and the response, taking into consideration the teacher's involvement in tackling the attacker.
There are concerns about the two people who were seriously injured, and the community waits for news regarding their conditions.
The school district has not provided any information about when the Silver Rail will resume its operations.
