A teacher threw a cellphone at a teenage gunman and subdued him during a fatal shooting at an Oregon elementary school on Thursday, struggling to grab his shotgun before an armed father shot him, police revealed Friday.
The 16-year-old gunman who killed four people, including three children, at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, had been a special needs student there. School officials said all of the victims were in special needs classrooms.
The teacher was not injured in the conflict. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said at a news conference detailing the attack that her heroic actions “almost certainly helped prevent additional bloodshed.”
The father is identified as Khairub Giamanco36 years old, with two children in school. Police said he witnessed the initial shooting outside and followed the gunman into the school.
The shooter used a Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, reportedly purchased by his mother. Authorities said he fired as many as 15 rounds in the classroom and had about 44 rounds left. Investigators believe he walked to campus.
The victims included three children aged 5, 8 and 11, as well as 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert. The gunman also died on the spot. A 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were also injured.
The five-year-old boy was identified by his family as Rhoam Summer. Police have not released the identities of the other child victims.
Authorities said shots were fired shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday as the suspect approached the school from an undeveloped area. The teenage gunman threw a shotgun over a school fence, climbed onto the school and opened fire on the driver of a red Toyota pickup truck after he got into a verbal altercation with him. The driver continued down the street and called 911.
“The suspect traveled westbound along the south side of the school and forced entry through the exterior double doors,” Krantz said. “He fired multiple rounds through the glass windows on the doors to gain entry to the school.”
He then entered the classroom directly to the left of the entrance door and opened fire, police said.
Giamanco Not to be outdone. Police said he drove into the school parking lot, retrieved a .40-caliber handgun that was legally secured in the car, and entered the building.
“As he entered through the forced-open door, he heard gunshots and saw a teacher getting into a physical altercation with the suspect,” Kranz said. “He then walked into the classroom where the fight was taking place and opened fire, striking the suspect multiple times.”
The first report of the shooting was received at 12:59 p.m., followed by multiple 911 calls inside the school. Police said officers arrived at 1:02 p.m. and learned the suspect had been shot by Giamanco.
The shootings have wreaked havoc on the Bend community, and thousands gathered for a vigil Thursday night to mourn the victims and support their families.
Oregon Democratic Governor Tina Kotek explain Her heart was “broken” and she praised the Good Samaritan who took immediate action.
“For those members of the community who heroically stepped in to prevent further loss of life, your actions have taken a heavy emotional toll and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you,” she said.