Teacher, father help 'prevent more bloodshed' in Oregon school attack

International

A FATHER’S decision to run towards gunfire helped bring a deadly attack at an Oregon elementary school to an end, after a teacher had already tried to wrestle the shotgun from the teenage suspect, police said.

Four people, including three children, were killed in Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend.

The teacher threw her mobile phone before tackling the gunman and trying to wrestle the shotgun from his grasp. As they struggled on the classroom floor, the father entered the school armed with a legally concealed .40-caliber pistol and shot the teenager multiple times, killing him, police said.

According to a BBC report, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said ko that the teacher escaped injury and “almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed”.

Police identified the suspect as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former pupil at the school who had been a special educational needs student there. He fired as many as 15 rounds inside the classroom and was carrying approximately 44 additional rounds of shotgun ammunition when he was stopped, authorities said.

The victims included five-year-old Rhoam Summer and 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert. The families of the other two children killed, aged eight and 11, had not agreed to release their names publicly.

Two other people were injured. A 54-year-old teacher remained in hospital, while a seven-year-old student was in serious but stable condition.

Authorities believe the suspect walked to the school but are still investigating how he obtained the firearm and what motivated the attack. Police have searched his home as part of the investigation.

The father who intervened has not been publicly identified by police. His family identified him to US media as Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter and lifelong Bend resident.

Giamanco’s brother told NBC News that he was driving home after lunch when he saw the suspect fire at a vehicle outside the school before shooting through a window to enter. Giamanco then took his pistol and went inside to confront the gunman.

In a statement to CBS News, Giamanco’s family said he “is not seeking recognition” and asked for privacy while expressing gratitude to first responders, school personnel and the community for their support.

US President Donald Trump praised the father’s actions, calling him a “great hero”. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also acknowledged the intervention, while recognising the emotional burden the experience could carry.(MyTVCebu)