Oregon dad who killed school shooter recalls children pleading for their lives

Inside the school

In his first interview since the incident, Giamanco spoke with Oregon Public Broadcasting about following the armed teenager onto the school grounds and entering the building. He told OPB that he heard children begging for their lives as he crawled toward the gunfire.

After police arrived

When officers reached the scene, Giamanco put his firearm on the floor and came out with his hands raised. He called his family to say he was safe, then contacted his mother.

Giamanco told OPB that his mother urged him to calm down and said he had done the right thing and saved lives. He replied that he had not saved everyone.

Family and next steps

Giamanco has not spoken with the teacher who confronted the gunman and does not know her name, but said he respects what she did. His two daughters attend the school.

The family has temporarily moved from their home, which overlooks the school, and Giamanco said his daughters would not return to campus for some time. He credited informal training from Iraq War veterans years earlier with helping him react quickly.

He is unsure whether he will return to his previous line of work. Giamanco said he hopes to advocate for improved classroom security and shared his story because he felt responsible for using his platform to seek broader change.