A teacher and an armed bystander stopped a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon on Thursday. Four people died: five-year-old Rhoam Summer, teacher Meghan Lambert (25), and two other students (ages 8 and 11). Two others were injured.
The shooter, identified by police as 16-year-old Griffin J John II, a former special educational needs student at the school, opened fire in a classroom serving special needs students. He fired as many as 15 rounds before he was killed.
Teacher Meghan Lambert threw her mobile phone, then tackled the shooter and wrestled him for his shotgun while on the classroom floor. She was not injured but, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, "almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed."
While Lambert fought the shooter, Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter, was driving past the school when he saw the suspect firing in the parking lot and shooting through a window to enter. Giamanco retrieved a legally concealed .40 calibre pistol from his vehicle and entered the school. Police said he fired "multiple times" at the suspect, killing him.
Police found the suspect carried approximately 44 additional rounds of shotgun ammunition, suggesting the attack could have continued. Police Chief Krantz stated both the teacher and Giamanco "saved lives."
Giamanco's family told NBC News he called his mother moments after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, recounted his words: "He said a man went into my daughter's school and shot kids. And he said, and I looked at him point blank, and I shot and killed him, mom." Giamanco told her, "I couldn't save them all."
Police are investigating how the suspect obtained the gun and his motive. Officials said he travelled to the school on foot, though his exact movements remain under investigation. A search warrant was executed at his home.
US President Donald Trump called Giamanco "a great hero" on Friday, saying the situation could have been "much worse" without intervention. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek acknowledged his actions "stopped further loss of life" but noted the emotional burden he carries.