Details are beginning to emerge about Kaylub Giamanco, the man who brought the deadly shooting at elementary school in Bend, Oregon on Thursday, to an end by fatally shooting the ۱۶-year-old suspect in the midst of a violent rampage.
Authorities have yet to officially release the man’s identity, but Kaylub Giamanco’s family issued a statement on Friday confirming that he shot and killed the suspect.
“The tragedy at Silver Rail elementary has devastated the Bend community,” the family wrote, asking for privacy and declining further media interviews. “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.”
Speaking briefly to reporters on Friday, his mother read the statement from her phone and said her son appreciated the support but wanted to remain private.
A lifelong resident of Bend with two daughters at Silver Rail elementary, where three children aged five, eight and ۱۱, and a teacher were killed, and a seven-year-old child and another teacher critically injured, Giamanco was reportedly driving to his home near the school when he heard gunshots and decided to take action.
“Yes, my brother shot the shooter in yesterday’s events at the Bend elementary school,” Kameron Giamanco wrote in a public Facebook post on Friday that reiterated the family’s request for privacy in the aftermath of the traumatic event.
“He’s an absolute HERO. However, we are not speaking to media at this time. He’s not ready, nor is the family.”
Though she did not name him, Oregon’s governor, Tina Kotek, praised the man who followed the shooter into the school during a news conference on Thursday.
“To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life,” she said, “your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well.”
The Bend police chief, Mike Krantz, said officers responded in minutes after multiple ۹۱۱ calls came in from within and outside the school. Shortly after officers arrived on scene, he said, the attacker was shot by a bystander inside the school.
“An officer reported that the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him,” Krantz said. Officers on scene located “five people who had succumbed to their injuries, including the suspect”.
The shooter has been identified by law enforcement officials as John J Griffin II, and authorities are still investigating what led to the deadly attack. He was using a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother, according to reporting from the Associated Press.
“This is going to be a long investigation,” Krantz said, adding that the police would maintain a large presence at the school for the next few days.
Anna Betts and Abené Clayton contributed reporting
