The mother of the heroic dad who brought down a teenage gunman in Oregon revealed her son's quick thinking and 'genuine heart' during an elementary school shooting.
Kenda Freeman revealed how her son Kaylub Giamanco, 36, thwarted Griffin John II, 16, after the teenager opened fire on Silver Rail Elementary School just before 1pm on Thursday.
'Kaylub knew something was not right, so he pulled up onto the grass, grabbed his gun and basically stalked the gunman back into the school,' she told CBS News.
'He crawled through a window that the gunman had shot out. He army crawled through the window.'
The father-of-two called his mother moments after confronting the shooter.
'He said: "Mom, I just shot and killed somebody,"' she recalled to the outlet. 'I said: "Kaylub, tell me about it."
'He said: "A man went into my daughter's school and shot kids," and he said, "And I looked at him point-blank, and I shot and killed him, Mom."'
The Bend community has hailed Giamanco a hero, crediting him with saving dozens of children's lives.
Kaylub Giamanco, 36, killed school shooter, Griffin John II, on Thursday while he shot at children at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon
Giamanco's mother said her son had 'stalked' the gunman before 'army crawling' through a window John II had shot out before confronting and thwarting the shooter
Griffin John II, 16, killed three students and one teacher on Thursday
'Kaylub has a genuine heart and he loves his community and his family and his children,' Freeman added. 'He's just a good person, in general.'
The incident, however, left the father traumatized, his mother said.
'I told him he was a hero, he did what he had to do, and that he did the right thing, and that I was proud of him and that he was a hero and he saved a lot of lives,' Freeman told the outlet.
'And he said: "Mom, I couldn't save them all."'
John killed three students, including five-year-old Rhoam Summer, and teacher Meghan Lambert, 25, before Giamanco killed him. John also injured Saylor Graham, seven, and educational assistant Becky Drury.
Police said John fired off 15 rounds before he was killed by Giamanco. He targeted the special needs classroom, where he was once a student.
John used a gun his mother had purchased around his 16th birthday in August. Law enforcement remained unsure as to how John obtained his ammunition, saying the investigation was 'very active.'
His motive is currently unknown.
Giamanco's mom, Kenda Freeman, received a phone call immediately afterward, where he admitted he killed the shooter. She has dubbed her son a hero
Three students – ages five, eight and 11 – and one teacher were killed by the former student. The five-year-old was identified by his father as Rhoam Summer. The teacher was Meghan Lambert, 25. Saylor Graham, seven, was shot in the face, but lived
Giamanco is struggling to accept that he couldn't save all the children and were traumatized by the experience, his mother said
Giamanco holds a concealed carry license in hopes of protecting his family, his mother said.
Giamanco is a carpenter and a father of two girls, ages five and 10, who attend Silver Rail Elementary, his brother told NBC News.
His actions were hailed as heroic by Governor Tina Kotek shortly after the incident, crediting Giamanco with preventing 'further loss of life.'
'To the community member who heroically intervened...your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I want you to know my thoughts are with you as well,' Kotek said at a press conference.
'My heart is absolutely broken today... this is a horrible day. No parent should have to have this kind of day,' she added.
President Donald Trump also praised Giamanco for stopping the Oregon school shooting.
'Well, I'll tell you what, there was a great hero. It could have been worse, as bad as it was. We had a great hero that went in and did the business,' Trump told reporters outside of the White House on Friday.
'He took care of business, and thank God we had him. Otherwise, it would have been much worse. It's a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it.'
'I looked at him point-blank, and I shot and killed him, Mom,"' his mother recalled him saying. Giamanco's children attend the school
People gather for a candlelight vigil held in Drake Park to honor and remember those lost and affected by the shooting on Thursday afternoon
Community members grieve during a candlelight vigil at Drake Park
A GoFundMe has been set up for Giamanco to help pay for therapy, any legal expenses he may face, and to support him while he takes time off work following the tragedy. The fundraiser has garnered nearly $280,000 by Saturday afternoon.
'Kaylub, his wife Kelsey, and their two young daughters have an incredibly difficult road ahead of them,' the fundraiser stated.
'The emotional and psychological impact of this tragedy cannot be overstated, and they deserve the time, space and resources to begin healing together.'
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr Steven Cook held back tears as he thanked emergency responders and the schools staff for their efforts to protect students during the attack on Thursday.
'Today, an unthinkable tragedy happened at Silver Rail Elementary School,' he began.
'We are heartbroken. We are horrified. This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places and pray that it never happens here... today it happened to our children, our teachers and our families.'
As Cook uttered words to his community, his voice wavered when he thanked the heroic efforts of the school staff.
'To our staff who helped our students and protected our kids today, we thank you. You did what no one should ever be asked to do. I am so grateful beyond words for your efforts,' he said.
'This is a time to love and care for one another...Please hold your loved ones tight tonight...We are going to rally and care for one another... We will get through this.'
'We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,' he said.
Community members held a prayer vigil that was lit by candlelight on Thursday for those killed in the tragedy.