A mother paid tribute to Rhoam online, writing: “Rhoam was a wonderful friend to my boys, and to our whole family.
“I don’t have any great or inspirational words. It’s hard to find any words really. He was precious and full of pure love.
“We will always remember him, and have him in our hearts. This is a nightmare, but I know we need to remain strong, and supportive of his family and the families of others right now.
“And our community as a whole. We need each other more than ever today. If you can, please help Rhoam’s family during this time that is just unimaginable. So many prayers heard today.”
The school, which was placed under lockdown, had installed door locks in 2022 that could be triggered from within classrooms with a single switch, the Daily Mail reported. The children inside the school were dressed in their best for photo day.
Police responded to calls about shots being fired outside the school just before 1pm local time (9pm UK).
The Daily Mail reported that one onlooker saw the teenager approaching the school building with his gun.
He used a pump-action shotgun that was purchased by his mother, according to the Associated Press.
Mr Giamanco confronted the gunman inside the school and killed him minutes after the shooting was reported.