Carpenter father stops Oregon school shooter, preventing further deaths

On Oct. 16, 2026, a 36‑year‑old carpenter stopped a teenage gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, ending an attack that had already claimed four lives.

The swift intervention has drawn national attention to the role of armed civilians in school‑shooting emergencies and raised questions about how such incidents might be prevented in the future.

Police identified the shooter as 16‑year‑old John J. Griffin II, who entered the school carrying a pump‑action shotgun that his mother had purchased earlier in the year. He opened fire on an unoccupied truck outside the campus before shooting through a locked entrance door to gain access.

The rampage resulted in the deaths of three children—ages five, eight and eleven—and a teacher. A seven‑year‑old student and a 54‑year‑old teacher were seriously injured and transported to St. Charles Medical Center.

Kaylub Giamanco, a local carpenter who was on his lunch break nearby, heard the gunshots and saw the suspect entering the building. Armed with a concealed handgun he was licensed to carry, Giamanco ran toward the school, pursued the shooter into a special‑education room, and engaged him, fatally shooting Griffin before police breached the perimeter.

"To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life, your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I want you to know that my thoughts are with you," Governor Tina Kotek said.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed that Griffin died at the scene and praised Giamanco’s courage, noting that the suspect was already dead when the first officers arrived at 1:02 p.m.

Giamanco’s family said he does not seek recognition and is dealing with guilt for not being able to save more lives. His brother, Kyle, told NBC that the carpenter is trying to protect his privacy while supporting first responders and the school community.

The incident has reignited debate over concealed‑carry policies in gun‑free zones, with some officials urging tighter restrictions and others pointing to Giamanco’s actions as evidence that armed civilians can reduce casualties in active‑shooter events.

Law enforcement continues to investigate the shooter’s motives and any potential connections to the school, while counseling services have been made available for students, staff and families affected by the tragedy.