Kaylub Giamanco was named as the hero bystander credited with stopping the Bend, Oregon, elementary school shooting.
Giamanco was identified by his brother to NBC News. Bend police have confirmed that a bystander intervened at the scene, but they have not named him. In a briefing, the police spokesperson said police arrived at the scene in three minutes. A GoFundMe page organized by a family friend also named Giamanco as the Bend hero. It is headlined, “Stand With Kaylub: A Father’s Courage at Silver Rail.”
🚨#UPDATE: A GoFundMe has been started for the HERO Kaylub Giamanco, the father who stopped the gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Giamanco, a local carpenter and dad of two girls who attend the school, was driving home on his lunch break when he heard the…— zach bitango (@ZachBitango) October 16, 2026
The school shooting unfolded at Silver Rail Elementary School. The gunman, who was killed at the scene, was named by NBC News and The New York Post as John J. Griffin II, 16. Three kids and a teacher were killed in the attack.
Kaylub Giamanco, a Carpenter, Was Heading Home From Lunch When He Spotted the Gunman Going in the School, His Brother Says
Kaylub’s brother told NBC News that Giamanco had gone to get something to eat and was returning home when he spotted the gunman.
“Armed with a long gun, the 36-year-old carpenter ran into the school and killed the teenage suspect,” NBC News reported. NBC News reported that Giamanco’s brother said Giamanco was driving home from lunch when he heard gunshots and then spotted the shooter.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz told the media that the gunman entered the elementary school by “shooting at locked doors.” The bystander then chased down the gunman and shot and killed him before he could wound more people.
Kaylub Giamanco’s Family Released a Statement Saying That He is ‘Not Seeking Recognition’
Giamanco’s family released a statement to CBS News thanking people for their support.
“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 statement read.
“The tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary has devastated the Bend community,” the statement continued. According to CBS News, Giamanco and his family said they aren’t giving additional interviews.
Griffin allegedly “used a shotgun purchased by his mother,” CBS News reported, a detail not yet confirmed by authorities. Authorities have not accused the teen’s mother of any wrongdoing.
Kaylub Giamanco, a Married Father of 2 Daughters, ‘Stepped Forward,’ the GoFundMe Page Says
The GoFundMe page provides additional details about Giamanco and contains a photo of him.
“On October 15, 2026, our community experienced something no parent, child or family should ever have to endure. The unimaginable violence at Silver Rail Elementary School has forever changed lives and left our beloved community of Bend heartbroken,” it reads. “In the midst of that tragedy, one father stepped forward. His name is Kaylub Giamanco. Kaylub is a husband, a father to two beautiful girls, ages 5 and 10, and someone I am incredibly fortunate to call a very dear friend.”
Added the GoFundMe: “He has called Bend home since middle school. He grew up here, built his life here and chose to raise his own family in the same community that raised him. Both of his daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary. When the unthinkable happened at their school, Kaylub took action. He followed the gunman into the building and stopped him, putting his own life at risk in the process.”
The page continued: “People are calling him a hero. And while his actions were extraordinarily brave, those of us who know Kaylub know that he would simply say he did what any loving father and community member would have done. But what Kaylub did was anything but ordinary. He acted out of love. Love for his daughters, love for the children inside that school and love for the community he has called home for most of his life.”
The page indicated that Kaylub has been deeply affected by the tragedy.
“Kaylub, his wife Kelsey and their two young daughters have an incredibly difficult road ahead of them. The emotional and psychological impact of this tragedy cannot be overstated, and they deserve the time, space and resources to begin healing together,” it says.
