by Kevin Killough
John J. Griffin, 16, has been identified as the gunman in Thursday’s deadly school shooting at a Bend, Oregon, elementary school.
Three senior law enforcement officials identified the shooter who killed four people at Silver Rail Elementary, NBC News reported.
Kaylub Giamanco, 36, was identified as the good Samaritan who took down Griffin, his brother, Kyle Giamanco, told NBC News.
Kaylub Giamanco is a carpenter and the father of two girls who attend Silver Rail. According to Kyle Giamanco, his brother was driving home for his lunch break when he heard gunshots. He then spotted the gunman entering the school. Kyle Giamanco also said his brother has a concealed-weapon permit and told him that the shooter had gone into the special education room.
Kyle Giamanco said his brother is a hero, and he’s avoided speaking publicly. Since he wasn’t able save more lives, he doesn’t feel like one, Kyle Giamanco said.
Griffin’s mother purchased the gun he used around the time of his birthday in August, according to two of the three senior law enforcement officials.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, in reaction to the shooting, thanked and praised “the quick thinking and courage of the Silver Rail Elementary School staff and parents — and the first responders who rushed to the scene.”
“My heart is absolutely broken. Our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead. My daily prayers will be with this community, with the children, with the parents,” the governor said.
“All Oregonians mourn the loss of life today. This is a horrible day. No parent should have this day. No community should live through this day,” she added. “As we learn more about the children and the adult victims who died or were injured — and their families and their loved ones — we will weep together, and we will weep quietly to ourselves.”
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Kevin Killough is a reporter for Just the News. Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network and contributed to this story.
