Four people were killed in a school shooting in Oregon before a bystander “heroically” entered the school and killed the shooter.
A 16-year-old, identified by police as John Griffin, armed with a shotgun, entered Silver Rail Elementary School shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday, where he began opening fire at those inside. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz identified the victims killed as a 5-year-old, an 8-year-old, an 11-year-old, and a teacher. Just minutes into the shooting, a local good Samaritan entered the school behind him, shooting and killing Griffin.
The good Samaritan was identified as Kaylub Giamanco, 36, by his brother to NBC News. The brother told the outlet that Giamanco, a carpenter and father of two girls who attend the school, was driving home for his lunch break when he heard gunshots. He also said his brother has a concealed weapon permit.
The brother also added that Giamanco is friends with the family of a 7-year-old who was wounded in the shooting.
Krantz said that Bend police officers had completed active-threat training at another high school just two months before. Police were quick to respond to the Thursday shooting, with the first officers arriving just three minutes after the first 911 call, though they found the shooter already dead.
Giamanco’s intervention won the praise of Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR), who said he “heroically intervened to stop further loss of life.”
FOUR DEAD, INCLUDING CHILDREN, IN OREGON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING
“Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well,” she said.
Oregon is known as one of the stricter states in its gun laws, with Revised Statute 166.370 banning guns in public buildings, which include schools, though historically, an exemption was in place for concealed carry. However, Oregon Senate Bill 554 (2021) allowed school districts to revoke this exemption, which Bend-La Pine did.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
