because I was afraid of him shooting anybody else. 

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek was among those who praised Giamanco's bravery, saying he  heroically intervened to stop further loss of life.  Police Chief Mike Krantz also credited the teacher who tackled the shooter and fought to take his gun, which  almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed. 

Police later identified the shooter as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II. The attack killed three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher. A 7-year-old girl and a 54-year-old teacher were wounded.

 I didn't save everybody. I didn't get them all. 

After police and first responders arrived at the school, Giamanco went back to his truck, emptied his weapon and called his wife and then his mother.

 She was just like, 'OK, baby, calm down. You did the right thing. You're a hero. You saved lives.' And I was just like, 'I didn't save everybody. I didn't get them all,'  he recalled of the conversation with his mom.

His mother, Kenda Freeman, who lives in California, told CBS News Sacramento that her son  has a genuine heart and he loves his community and his family and his children. 

Kenda Freeman and her son, Kaylub Giamanco, are seen in a photo she shared with CBS News Sacramento. Kenda Freeman

A week later, Giamanco told Oregon Public Broadcasting that when he goes to bed at night, he replays that day in his head and wonders if he could have stopped the shooter sooner.

 I relive, I see faces, I hear voices, I hear screams,  he said.

 It was split-second decisions while gunfire was going off, while children were losing their lives. 

He grew emotional when talking about the families who lost children.

 I want to apologize for not saving their babies,  he said.  The gratitude for saving people's children is awesome, but there were ones that I didn't save. 

A child writes a message on a cross at a memorial at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, Oct. 17, 2026. Cody Rheault/The Washington Post via Getty Images

In the days after the shooting, Giamanco sought to avoid the limelight, putting out a brief statement expressing gratitude to first responders and the community. However, he told Oregon Public Broadcasting he's now decided to share his story.

 I've always wanted to change the world, but I've felt small. I'm just a carpenter from Bend, Oregon. I was a nobody other than to my friends and family,  he said.  I feel like if I'm going to have a voice, then I'll be damned if I'm not going to use it to change this world, to make it a better place. 

He said he hopes to help raise funds for local schools to improve their safety.