(LifeSiteNews) — The heroic bystander who stopped the Bend, Oregon, elementary school shooter before he could kill again is the father of two young girls who attend the school.

According to multiple new reports, Kaylub Giamanco, 36, was on his way home during his lunch break when he heard gunshots emanating from his kids’ school. 

Giamanco, who reportedly has a license to carry a concealed firearm, ran into the school and neutralized teen shooter, John J. Griffin, ending his killing spree.

🚨BREAKING: The HERO who stopped the deadly Oregon elementary school shooting is reportedly being identified online as KAYLEB GIAMANCO!!

Kayleb is a father of two little girls who attend that very school. He reportedly lives nearby and was heading home on his lunch break when he heard gunshots and realized something horrific was happening at his daughters’ school!!

He reportedly ran toward the school, knowing his daughters were inside. I honestly cannot even imagine the fear that must’ve been going through him.

Kayleb deserves an ENORMOUS amount of gratitude for stepping in when those children needed help most. ❤️🙏 he’s a HERO!!

— Bethany O’Leary 🇺🇸 🦅 (@BethanyForTruth) October 16, 2026

According to journalist Joe Moeller, family members say Giamanco is “struggling with what happened and is traumatized by the fact he couldn’t save more people. He’s grateful for those he did save but wishes he could have done more.”

OREGON: We met the man who stopped the Silver Rail Elementary shooter in Bend. He is a dad of two students at the school. His family tells me he was driving home on his break for lunch when his vehicle was shot. They say he’s struggling with what happened and traumatized by the fact he couldn’t save more people. He’s grateful for those he did save, but wishes he could have done more.

— Joe Moeller (@joemoeller44) October 16, 2026

The 16-year-old gunman murdered three young children — ages 5, 8, and 11 — and a teacher.

The crazed teen was “shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him,” Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz told reporters.

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

Bend is located in central Oregon, about 150 miles southeast of Portland.

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