Crime
Mandy Fackler kidnapped and killed by Pinellas County deputy Troy Savetz, who took his own life inside vehicle in Spring Hill
SPRING HILL, Fla. — A Pasco County mother was kidnapped and killed Monday in what authorities described as a horrific domestic violence incident involving a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy. The deputy later died by suicide, according to officials.
The victim was identified as Mandy Fackler, a mother of two children, ages 9 and 12. The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Deputy Troy Savetz, who had worked for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 14 years.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri provided additional details during a joint news conference Monday night.
According to Sheriff Nocco, Fackler and her two children had just returned from a trip to the beach when they arrived at their home in Hudson and found Savetz in the front yard.
Authorities said Savetz and Fackler had been involved in a tumultuous, on-again, off-again relationship.
Nocco said an argument began between Savetz and Fackler over a television. During the confrontation, Savetz allegedly took Fackler’s cellphone when she attempted to call 911.
Authorities said Fackler then instructed her children to run inside the home and call 911.
The children followed their mother’s instructions and provided dispatchers with information that helped authorities respond to the emergency.
Nocco praised the children for remaining calm and contacting emergency services despite the terrifying situation.
Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the Hudson residence after receiving the emergency call. However, authorities said Fackler and Savetz had already left by the time officers arrived.
Investigators found the home’s door open and Fackler’s cellphone still at the property.
Detectives subsequently determined that Savetz had allegedly taken Fackler from the residence in a rental vehicle.
Investigators tracked the vehicle to Platinum Drive, where they discovered Savetz and Fackler inside the vehicle, both deceased.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the deaths remained under investigation.
Following the incident, Fackler’s two children were placed in the care of their biological father.
Sheriff Nocco expressed his condolences to the children and emphasized that their mother had acted to protect them during the confrontation.
Authorities said the children were not physically harmed in the incident.
According to Sheriff Gualtieri, Savetz had served with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years and was assigned to the agency’s Marine Unit.
Gualtieri strongly condemned Savetz’s actions, describing the incident as unacceptable and “inexcusable.”
Officials emphasized that Savetz’s actions were not representative of law enforcement and that he was no longer acting in the capacity of a deputy when he allegedly committed the crimes.
Detectives from the relevant agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Fackler’s death, the alleged kidnapping and Savetz’s subsequent death.
Authorities have not released additional details about the exact circumstances of the killings or provided further information regarding a possible motive.
Officials described the incident as isolated and said the investigation remains active. Additional information is expected to be released as investigators continue reviewing evidence and reconstructing the events leading up to the deaths
Crime
Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting Suspect Identified as 16-Year-Old John Griffin, Who was shot and killed by Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon — The suspect in the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has been identified in preliminary reports as 16-year-old John J. Griffin, according to information provided for this report. Kaylub Giamanco has also been identified in the supplied account as the bystander who reportedly confronted and shot the teenage suspect during the October 15, 2026, incident.
According to a family member who spoke with Channel2 NOW, Giamanco was returning home during his lunch break when he encountered the emergency near the school, where his two daughters reportedly attend classes. He lives nearby and allegedly rushed toward the school after hearing gunshots and realizing that children, including his daughters, could be in danger.
Giamanco’s reported intervention has prompted expressions of gratitude and calls for him to be recognized for his actions. However, the suspect’s identity, Giamanco’s role and the precise sequence of events should be confirmed through official statements before being presented as established facts.
The account provided to Channel2 NOW describes Giamanco as a father who was returning home during his lunch break when the shooting unfolded. After hearing gunfire near Silver Rail Elementary School, he reportedly saw the suspected shooter moving toward or entering the building.
Because his two daughters attended the school, Giamanco allegedly ran toward the scene rather than away from it. Preliminary accounts say he confronted the suspect and shot him, and the 16-year-old reportedly died.
The supplied information does not independently establish the exact location of the confrontation, the actions of those involved immediately beforehand or whether investigators have formally confirmed Giamanco’s identity as the person who shot the suspect.
Nevertheless, the account has drawn strong emotional reactions from people who view his reported actions as an attempt to protect his daughters and other children inside the school.
Some supporters have called for Giamanco to receive a medal or other formal recognition. Any official commendation, however, would need to be confirmed by the relevant authorities.
The supplied report identifies John J. Griffin, 16, as the suspected shooter in the Silver Rail Elementary School attack. The available information describes him as a Bend resident and alleges that a shotgun was used during the incident.
The reported circumstances surrounding Griffin’s death remain an important part of the investigation. Early accounts indicate that a bystander shot the suspect during the emergency, but investigators would need to confirm the individual’s identity and establish the precise sequence of events.
The suspect’s identification and the circumstances of the shooting should be attributed to law enforcement once an official statement is available.
The October 15 shooting prompted a major emergency response and left the community grieving. Preliminary information supplied for this report indicates that four victims—three children and one adult—were killed. The suspected shooter was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer was identified in the supplied information as the first named victim. Two other children, reportedly ages 8 and 11, were also described as having died. An adult teacher was reported among the victims.
Two additional people—a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher—were reportedly transported for medical treatment in critical condition.
The identities of the other victims, the final casualty figures and the latest conditions of the injured people require confirmation from law enforcement or the appropriate authorities. The information available for this article does not establish that the teacher who died was killed while protecting students, so that characterization should not be presented as confirmed.
Bend police reportedly issued an active-shooter alert at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, warning the public of a major law enforcement presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and urging people to avoid the surrounding area.
Police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the campus. Nearby schools, including Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary, were reportedly placed under lockdown as a precaution.
Authorities also designated Journey Church, located at 61303 S Highway 97 near Goodwill and Dairy Queen, as a family reunification location. Parents and guardians were directed there to reconnect with students and receive information during the emergency response.
The reported deaths of children and an adult educator have left families and the wider Bend community facing an immense tragedy. Rhoam Summer, just 5 years old, has become one of the first children named in the reports surrounding the shooting.
As the investigation continues, families are waiting for verified information and the opportunity to grieve their loved ones. Those affected by the shooting may also face a difficult period of emotional recovery.
Giamanco’s reported actions have added another dimension to the story, with supporters expressing gratitude for a father who allegedly rushed toward danger after hearing gunshots near the school attended by his daughters. His family’s experience and the well-being of his children also deserve consideration as details emerge.
🙏💔 Our thoughts are with the families of Rhoam Summer and the other reported victims, the injured child and teacher, and everyone affected by this devastating incident. May those who lost their lives rest in peace, and may their loved ones find strength and support during this heartbreaking time.