Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz identified the 16-year-old suspect who killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday. The suspect was neutralized by a bystander, identified as 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, who shot the teen multiple times after entering the classroom.
Police announced the identities of the victims during a news conference on Friday. The deceased included 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert and students aged 5, 8, and 11. The youngest victim, 5-year-old Rhoam Summer, was among those killed at the scene. Two other individuals survived the attack: a 7-year-old child who is in serious but stable condition and a 54-year-old teacher who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Krantz, the incident began at 12:58 p.m. when a witness driving past the school saw the suspect throw a gun over a fence and climb onto the property. The suspect fired at the witness's truck, hitting it at least three times, but did not injure the driver. The witness made the initial 911 call at 12:59 p.m.
Giamanco, a local carpenter and father of two daughters who attend Silver Rail, drove into the school parking lot after seeing the suspect shoot at the truck. Krantz stated that Giamanco saw the suspect shoot glass panes on two double doors to gain entry. The suspect then entered a classroom on the left and fired as many as 15 rounds. All victims were shot inside that classroom.
Giamanco retrieved a legally owned .40-caliber pistol from his car and entered through the same doors. Upon entering the classroom, he observed the suspect struggling with a teacher who had thrown her cellphone at the shooter and tackled him in an attempt to disarm him. Giamanco then shot the suspect multiple times.
Police arrived at 1:02 p.m., having been informed that a community member had already engaged and shot the suspect. Krantz noted that the suspect used three types of ammunition and had approximately 44 rounds remaining when he was killed. The initial investigation indicated the suspect forced entry by firing a shotgun at locked doors.
The family of Meghan Lambert released a statement praising both Lambert and Giamanco. They described Lambert as compassionate and dedicated to those with special needs, calling her an incredible sister, daughter, niece, and granddaughter. The family also expressed gratitude to Giamanco for selflessly risking his life to stop further bloodshed.
Lambert's brother, Kyle Gianmaco, told NBC News that Giamanco is shaken by the event and does not wish to speak to the public. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised school staff, parents, first responders, and Giamanco for heroically intervening to prevent further loss of life.
Silver Rail Elementary School is a public institution within the Bend-La Pine Schools District. It serves approximately 400 students from kindergarten through fifth grade and employs about 40 staff members.