‘Good guy’ with gun credited with saving lives in Oregon school shooting
by Stephen Dinan · The Washington TimesAuthorities are crediting an armed civilian with taking down the shooter in this week’s tragic attack on an Oregon elementary school, saying the person saved lives.
Kaylub Giamanco was identified as the hero civilian by his brother, who told NBC News the man is a father of two girls at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend.
Kyle Giamanco said his brother was driving on his lunch break and heard gunshots, then saw the 16-year-old gunman go into the school.
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Authorities said the civilian pursued the teen and shot him. By the time police arrived, three minutes after the first emergency call, the teen was dead.
“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, as well,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said.
Three children and a teacher were slain. Another child and faculty member were critically wounded.
SEE ALSO: The 16-year-old shooter at an elementary school in Oregon identified
Accolades for the civilian poured in from Second Amendment supporters, who said it’s evidence that law-abiding citizens with the right to carry concealed weapons assist public safety.
“We are heartbroken that three children and a teacher died in this horrendous event, but we are gratified that a local resident had the tool, and the courage, to take quick action,” said Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
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The National Rifle Association also hailed the bystander’s quick intervention.
“His decisive actions exemplify the heroism of everyday citizens who are prepared and ready to respond when innocent lives are on the line,” the association said.
“A good guy with a weapon and uncommon bravery appears to have saved untold lives today,” the Aurora, Missouri, Police Department posted on its Facebook page.
The debate over armed civilians’ role in stopping attacks has been heated, with many media organizations terming it “rare.”
FBI data from 2014 to 2025 lists 408 active shooter incidents and tallied just 16 of them stopped by armed civilians.
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But the Crime Prevention Research Center did its own study and found the FBI missed a number of cases and misclassified others. CPRC said when those are included properly, “good guys with guns” were involved in stopping more than a third of active-shooter attacks.
Subtracting out attacks in areas where concealed-carry permit holders aren’t allowed to have weapons, the ratio of attacks stopped is even higher, according to CPRC President John R. Lott Jr.
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