911 audio shows father's split-second decision to shoot school attacker

The audio of a frantic 911 call places the public inside the final minute before a father took matters into his own hands at an Oregon elementary school. The recording, released Tuesday via a public records request to The Associated Press, details the rapid escalation that led to the fatal shooting of the 16-year-old attacker.

In the one-minute clip, Kaylub Giamanco reports that "someone with a gun" is at Silver Rail Elementary School, where his daughter is a student. He is driving home for lunch when he spots the shooter. Giamanco states to the operator, "I have a gun and I will shoot them right now."

The dispatcher urges him to hold his position, saying, "Don't do anything, let me get an officer there." The exchange becomes tense as Giamanco sounds increasingly frustrated. "I'm about to go kill this kid," he tells the operator. Seconds later, he reports the shooter is entering the building and confirms the attacker is firing before the line drops.

The incident occurred on Oct. 15 in Bend, Oregon. Griffin J. John II shot his way through locked doors into the special needs classroom. He killed three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and a teacher. Another student suffered critical injuries, and a second teacher was hospitalized after being shot in the left hand and right arm.

Teacher Cassidy Schutz, a certified learning specialist, attempted to stop the shooter before Giamanco arrived. She threw her phone at the attacker and tackled him to wrestle for control of the weapon. Giamanco entered through an open window and saw the struggle in profile. He fired his gun, dropping the shooter to the floor.

Giamanco described Schutz as "a real true hero" in an Oregon Public Broadcasting interview. He noted that her actions created the opening he needed to shoot the attacker. He admitted regret for not arriving sooner to save the victims.

Becky Drury, the second teacher in the room, stated she had no chance to shelter the children. She tried to shut the door but the shooter was already inside. "Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground," Drury said. She pretended to be dead to avoid further shots.

Giamanco said he felt he was the "last line of defense" between the attacker and the other children. After the initial shot, he fired two more times to ensure the shooter could not move. "If I wasn't there, I just don't know what would have happened," he said.

Bend-La Pine Schools identified Schutz last week and shared her statement. She described the event as a "horrific and heartbreaking tragedy" rather than a story. Her focus remains on the families, the school, and her own healing. The release of the 911 audio provides a direct audio account of the minutes before Giamanco entered the classroom.