Oregon School Hero Describes Taking Down Shooter, Still Wonders If He Could Have Acted Sooner

What Giamanco saw outside

Driving past the elementary school, Giamanco saw a man dressed in black firing a long gun at a vehicle. He initially thought the scene might be a prank, but then watched the man throw the weapon over the school fence and climb after it.

Giamanco said he took the weapon’s magazine from another compartment, drove into the school parking lot and saw the gunman crossing school grounds. He recalled telling someone, “I’m sorry, I have to go in. People are going to die,” before entering.

Inside the school

Giamanco said he crawled through a broken window and stayed on his knees until he reached a special education classroom. There, he saw a teacher struggling with the gunman, opened the door and fired.

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

Praise and aftermath

After police and first responders arrived, Giamanco returned to his truck, emptied his weapon and called his wife, then his mother. His mother, Kenda Freeman, told CBS News Sacramento that he has a genuine heart and cares deeply for his community, family and children.

Why he is speaking now

Giamanco initially kept out of the spotlight, issuing a brief statement of gratitude to first responders and the community. A week after the shooting, he told Oregon Public Broadcasting that he continues to replay the day at night and question whether he could have stopped the shooter sooner.

He described the events as “split-second decisions” made while gunfire rang out and children were dying. Giamanco said he has chosen to share his story in hopes of raising funds for local schools to improve their safety.