A bystander who shot dead a teenage gunman during an attack on an elementary school in Oregon has said he is traumatised by the experience and feels guilty that he could not prevent the deaths of four people. Kaylub Giamanco, a father, was driving past Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend on Thursday afternoon when he heard gunfire and intervened, bringing the attack to an end.
Three children — aged five, eight and 11 — and a female teacher were killed in the shooting, which took place about 125 miles south-east of Portland. A seven-year-old pupil and a 54-year-old were taken to hospital. The gunman, a 16-year-old, was shot dead at the scene by Giamanco.
The teacher killed in the attack has been identified as Meghan Lambert, a 25-year-old for whom the post was her first and, according to her family, her dream job. The family of five-year-old Rhoam Summer said they were «broken and lost» following the death of the child.
Giamanco, who has been described as a hero, said he happened to be driving by when he heard shots fired. He has spoken of feeling guilty that he was not there in time to save the four victims, and of being traumatised by what he witnessed. His account has focused attention on the role of bystanders in active shooter incidents and the psychological toll of intervening.
Authorities are investigating the shooting, which has renewed questions about school safety and access to firearms in the United States. The attack at Silver Rail Elementary is among a series of incidents that have placed elementary schools at the centre of the national debate over gun violence.
The names of the two surviving victims have not been released. The condition of the seven-year-old and the 54-year-old has not been made public. The investigation is continuing.