Elementary School Shooting Claims More Than Two Dozen Lives

Chaos, fear and heartbreak on campus

An adult gunman at a Connecticut elementary school has murdered 27 people, including 20 children. The shooter is dead after the rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, The New York Times reports. The gunman was in possession of at least two firearms.

The gunman wore black combat garb and a military vest. Gunshots and screams had been heard over the school public address system. The classroom where the shooter's mother worked as a kindergarten teacher was the scene of the majority of the casualties. The principal and school psychologist are reported to be among the dead.

Adam Lanza, 20, was confirmed dead by police. There was initially confusion over the perpetrator's identity, with sources initially reporting his brother Ryan Lanza, 24, as the shooter.

The incident sent crying children spilling into the school parking lot as frightened parents waited for word on their loved ones.

Connecticut's governor was on the scene in Newtown. The White House said President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting and was receiving updates.

"I think it's important on a day like today to view this as I know the president, as a father does, and I as a father and others who are parents certainly do, which is to feel enormous sympathy for families that are affected," White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

The death toll is the highest from a school shooting in U.S. history since a gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech in 2007. At Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, two teens killed 13 people and wounded 24 in 1999.

Via The New York Times and NBC News.

Please offer your thoughts and prayers here.

[tomincali]

Prayers for the victims and their family's
what in the heck is wrong with people? darn we have a lot of defective people .

[AceLuby]

Well said

[Heavy-Fed]

hy would anyone go to a school to shoot people?

Much less an elementary school???

That's just insane.

Lot's of families have been destroyed this Christmas... because one nut had a gun and a bunch of ammo.

Society has failed again.

BUT... the failure here is not with our guns laws.

The failure here lies almost solely with society as it is in general.

We live in an artificial environment... working artificial jobs for artificial money... to live our artificial lives as we are lead to believe they are to be lead by artificial lies through artificial lines to our artificial eyes.

It's a wonder MORE people don't go crazy and grab a gun and start shooting.

Everyone has thought about it.

If you say that you've never thought of getting a gun and capping someone... you're a liar.

They have video games for children geared all around that very thing!!!

Movies!!!!

TV shows!!

Radio!!

THE NEWS!!!

It's ALL about putting ideas into the heads of the public... and controlling them with FEAR!!!!

Sure, if you scare enough people... SOME PEOPLE WILL THINK THE WORST... AND ACT THEIR WORST!!!

Wake up people!!!!!

They will come for our guns for SURE now!!!!

This school shooting will be used to justify it!!!

And in the minds of the majority... it will be good enough reason!!!

Once they do that... we are all slaves forever.

FREEDOM... will be lost.

We are ALREADY slaves now!!!

Our children are slaves to a debt that is not theirs!!!

A debt that is not even a valid debt... because there was no risk to the lender!!!

It's an illegal debt... and we don't have to pay it!!!

Let's throw these shackles of slavery off ourselves... before we lose the keys(guns)to our locks!!!!

I have not yet given up on my Country...I have not yet given up my freedom...and I will not relinquish my right or my sworn duty to oppose those who seek to destroy my Country or it's freedoms be they friend or foe, enemies foreign or domestic.

Those that are willing to fight with me are welcome, those opposed...are damned.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Let's hope we all survive it.

[FenceSitter K]

Thanks for your comments everyone. When commenting on this topic, please be mindful of the victims and their families during this difficult time. This is a sensitive subject, and civil discourse is a must.

You can review our Engagement Etiquette here: http://politix.topix.com/about/community

Regards,
FenceSitter

[PoliticalSpice]

@Heavy-Fed I have a lot of thoughts on this, but frankly, out of respect for the victims I will not use this tragedy to stand a top sa political soapbox.

[evelynm1011]

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims family.. It is insane to what this world is coming to and i fear that it just may get worse before it gets better..we may have chaos in our hands.. I pray this does not happen..
It so sad, I feel for the families..may god bless you and punish the wicked.

[jessejaymes]

Why would someone do something like this? Not a rhetorical statement because most of us wouldn't do it for any reason but I have to wonder what was in his mind that set him off?

[Thunderchicken]

Lots of stress around these days. Some people just don't handle it. I can see offing yourself but a bunch of kids too? It's just beyond me.

[jessejaymes]

@Thunderchicken You know I have joked in the past about my "hit list" should I ever decide to go off. But I do not understand how someone could make kids their target?

[Zazziness]

I can't believe how hard this is hitting me. I guess because they were kids, and very young ones to boot. I can't begin to imagine what kind of mindset makes that seem right.

[Thunderchicken]

@jessejaymes

I guess some thing just can't be explained.

[mtkopf]

@Zazziness hitting me pretty hard also. For me bc I look at my 2 1/2 yr old son and pray that he never has to deal with something like this.

[Thunderchicken]

Another source says the there were eighteen kids killed. Tragic.

[Denizen_Kate]

I'm watching now . . . 18 children, most of them in a kindergarten class taught by the shooter's mother. Five year olds. Unimaginable.

[Flodiodoe]

Why didn't somebody have a gun to take this killer out?

[mtkopf]

Guns and/or drugs in or within a certain perimeter are serious felonies in my area.
Plainfield Illinois police chief tried to get an assault rifle assigned to school police officer, locked in a safe in case something happened. People were outraged!!!
Like an officer with a 9mm with 10 round clip is going to be able to stop a psycho like this.

[Zazziness]

Is now really the time for that question? We're talking about kids between ages five and nine.

[fistv]

Israel uses armed adult family members, grandparents mostly, to provide anti-terrorist protection for schools over there. These kind of cowards go after the places that are guaranteed by the govt to not have any kind of defenses other than locked doors and a sign in sheet at the office.

[paperdragons81]

Agreed , what if some of the teachers were licenced to carry a concealed weapon? How many childen would have been saved?

[tomincali]

@mtkopf besides that we need to start putting safety features in schools for this kind of attack. it is happening more often so it needs to be addressed. we have the technological know how and the skilled workers to build and put into place.

we need a design change and some upgrades

[Food4thoughts]

This enrages me...I'm literally sitting at my desk imagining my hands around this guys neck

[KyleMFb]

Very sad but I no longer care for mass shootings its old news in America it doesn't hold any weight what so ever with me everytime I hear of a mass shooting I laugh it off and say yup just another day in America shooting sprees happen daily.....GO AMERICA were the envy of the world
Why should i care about Mass murder when politicians all (R) that have the power to do something and don't I wonder when the next one is probably 2m or next week at the latest...AMERICA ROCKS......WE'RE NUMBER 1 IN ALL THE WRONG THINGS YAH

[classychazy]

What is it you would like them to do? They have no control over sick, demented people in today's society. Bringing up politics at this time is very disgusting to me, because no matter what party you belong to no one ever wants to see a tragedy like this happen.

[KyleMFb]

@classychazy Well first off gun laws could be strengthened and gun control is all about politics and its funny as hell everytime a shooting happens it's never a good time to talk about politics bla bla bla...so let's just keep allowing mass murders bc it's a bad time to talk about politics it's laughable look I don't care how many people die I could care less if bombs exploded everyday in America when somebody wants to do something about it that's when I'll start caring until then I'm just going to laugh...it's the American way

[Sharpshooter]

@KyleMFb OK what existing gun law failed? The law prohibiting guns in schools? How about carrying a concealed weapon without the proper permit? Or maybe having hollow point bullets?

What makes you think another law, or a stronger law would stop someone from KILLING CHILDREN? I think that would be classified as Murder.... kill, enough and it usually becomes a crime punishable by the death penalty. Kill enough kids and you're likely to face consequences beyond this life, unless you're an atheist who doesn't worry much about the afterward part.

None of the non gun related crimes and their much more severe penalties stopped this wack job from going off, what makes you think a stronger gun law would have?

[KyleMFb]

@Sharpshooter how about gun laws excluding mental unstable to be around guns look people I don't care if you want to put more guns on the street to solve gun problems its your own stupidity just ask yourself

Why doesn't this happen in any other country?

[ctc]

A real tragedy.
I do hope Bob Costas stands down on this one.

[CanisCanemEdit]

Doubtful. Too many will use this as a soapbox.

God be with the parents and families in this horrible dark hour.

[humptydumpty]

your going to see a lot more of this .our anti second amendment government is programing young men to do this.this government needs a monopoly on force to usher in this new world order so they have to disarm everyone!! laugh if u want but just hide and watch

[Food4thoughts]

That's pretty dumb. Just saying.

[humptydumpty]

@Food4thoughts and thats exactly what they want u to think

[bsking]

@Food4thoughts our government has done such things. I wouldn't jump to that conclusion on this story though. I do get a bad feeling about this 1, and obviously for all young children all the Familys destroyed now.. they know who 1 of the shooters was because he's dead at the scene and they're searching a house in New Jersey if there were 2 shooters involved I hope they find the other 1 and kill him

[humptydumpty]

@Food4thoughts if u need any proof look no further than fast and furious it started under bush n continued under obama there not trying to turn us against violence there trying to turn u against guns n we all kno guns wont make u want to kill anybody. maybe we should blame the spoon for making u fat!!

[Food4thoughts]

@humptydumpty @bsking so let me get this straight...the government sent a 20 year old into an Elementary School with intention of killing a Kindergarten class all as a conspiracy to disarm the citizens.

[RobertJHarsh]

Unfortunately, this will be used to push anti-gun laws but seriously, who is evil enough for this? This makes me sick.

[CanisCanemEdit]

Evil always finds a way. McVeigh achieved his evil with a rental truck and fertilizer.

[RobertJHarsh]

@CanisCanemEdit Kill adults...fine. Don't kill kids. Give them a chance at least. What a shame OKC was such a inside job. But I am not going into that right now. Just the wrong day. :(

[paperdragons81]

Why attack children?!? What could he hope to gain? 15min of fame? He will pay for eternity in the fiery depths of hell...

[FollowTheMoney]

I wonder where he got the idea to do this in the first place.

[paperdragons81]

@FollowTheMoney Isn't It strange his mother was the teacher of the class he attacked? There seems to be something more this story.

[ACTSmom]

I can't stop crying...those poor children, their parents, teachers...the entire nation. Dear God...please help. How can a civilized nation have such evil people to do this to babies? They're 5 years old....

[mtkopf]

Here's a cyber hug for you. Wish I could give you a real one. This shooting is hitting me pretty hard too. I gave my 2 1/2 yr old son an extra long hug before putting him down for his nap.

[ACTSmom]

@mtkopf ..Thank you and back to you...I just cannot imagine what those parents are going through...how terrified those babies were...I think all of us need an extra hug today. Hug your little one for me too...

[mtkopf]

@ACTSmom thank you and I will! I'll tell you I haven't had this mix of sadness and anger and outrage since 9/11.

[Denizen_Kate]

@ACTSmom - I can't imagine how parents will deal with this either. I'm crying with you.

[Tralee]

I get it, passing on the hug I got from my daugher. I heard it in the car on the way to her house. My heart broke when I heard, those poor parents at this time of the year too. It's too bad that the mentally ill can no longer be locked up and forced to get treatment nowadays. This maybe could have been prevented. Eyes are still leaking.

[classychazy]

Blessing to every parent who lost their lives today and the teachers, administrators that most likely died protecting these children. What is the sickness that seems to plague our society today can anyone explain this to me? Please light a candle tonight, or pray if that's what you do, that this community can come together and help one another.

[mtkopf]

Don't forget to give your own kids a hug today too.

[classychazy]

@mtkopf. Both of mine are home sick today and I already gave them huge hugs while I cry. There are just no words to express my sorrow for these families.

[mtkopf]

@classychazy give your kids a hug for me too.

[MaxPain]

And again we see how well State Controlled Gun Control works.

[WasteWater]

Tragic.

[Deano]

I pray for the families of those who died and the children who were a witness to this. I understand the shooter is dead. I think it is past the time to make some changes in how we deal with the scum who sdo this. If we catch them and they do not kill themself or get killed, and go to trial and are found gulty. It should be an automatic electric chair for anyone who does this to a child. It may not cure it but it will send a message. I hope and pray that laws will be put on the books to do this.

[mtkopf]

Electric chair is too quick and not painful enough.

[kirbstomp1]

Im a disheartened for the families with lost ones. This is a shame. If only officials in the schools (principal, vice principal, etc.) had a concealed carry, along with carrying at schools for the protection of the students more lives could have been saved. Criminals will find guns regardless, and I would want to know a responsible adult on a schools campus has the means to protect my children and others.

[martydotcom]

Reading some of the posts here: Claiming this is our government's fault? Thinking this is appropriate point in time to debate second amendment issues illustrates a total lack of respect for the horror of 20-30 children and teacher's deaths. Really exposes the degree of paranoia existing within the forum.
Thoughts and prayers for all those affected by this insane act

[Wisdom73]

I've lost all hope for mankind. From now on when your child asks you if monsters are real, you'll have to answer yes. Sending your child to public school these days is like gambling with their life. The only thing to do now is to have armed law enforcement on every school campus armed to the teeth to deal with situations like this. That and every person entering the campus must go through a security screening process.

[ACTSmom]

It's a sad state of affairs...sad for all of us. I'd like to know how he got into the school, into the classroom. It's a horrible day for all of us.

[srs606791163]

It is time for gun control laws. How many more have to die? It was 18 children today, and 8 more adults. I can't stand this violence. This shooting today is the most devastating, gut-wrenching, and sick thing I've seen in a long time. I think a lot more people will start standing up for gun control laws. And to all you gun nuts need to blame the psychos killing people for you losing your assault rifles and handguns. Don't blame those of us sick of watching our neighbors be killed. I hope people will take a stand.

[Concerned_Cit]

Wisdom73- agree with every school needing an armed guard with adequate firepower. If the law is going to prevent teachers and faculty from carrying firearms to protect the children and themselves, then it should be required that a fulltime police officer or guard be allocated to each campus. Of course it would be more logical to simply allow faculty or principals to be armed with a rifle.

[Antizealot]

Guns don't kill, bullets do. Furthermore, bullets are not protected by the Constitution. We need to talk about bullet control, not gun control.

[ACTSmom]

We need EVIL control...

[Antizealot]

@ACTSmom A good start is limiting the damage that evil people can do.

[bsking]

so you jump right from fake mourning to forwarding your agenda huh... or do you just skip right past mourning part?

[bsking]

@Antizealot well it seems like this was a domestic situation where a son killed his parents and his mother was a kindergarten teacher. I'm hearing the school was locked down and in order to be let in you had to be recognized and buzzed in... speculation is because mother was a teacher there he was recognized and buzzed in.

so God only knows what happened in that family but tell me how to limit the evil that boy could do? do you out law divorce?

[DapperDave]

This murderous rampage, the Portland mall rampage, the Colorado theater rampage,...
Blood on the hands of the NRA.

[PNWest]

First my sympathies and prayers to the families of the victims. That should always come first. The NRA supporters will claim that the if teachers were packing heat that this wouldn't have happened. Of course this is pure and utter BS as one, none of the teachers would have been trained in taking out a lunatic in a situation like this and two, the cops would have probably shot any of the teachers that did fire off guns.

[mtkopf]

@PNWest three this wackjob had a bulletproof vest and at least one assault weapon. Do you think a handgun is gonna stop him...don't think so.

[PNWest]

@mtkopf A handgun wouldn't stop him. But serious gun control would have kept him from getting an assault weapon and prevented or at least minimized the chances of this and the other recent gun tragedies. Thanks NRA. By the way NRA supporters can you post some links to instances where something like has ever happened where someone with a concealed carry permit ever stepped in and saved the day? I don't know of any?

[mtkopf]

@PNWest trust me I'm so totally with you on gun control. I'm sure the founding fathers would be proud of our country today, proud that any wacko could get their hands on and use a machine that is intended to kill dozens of people in mere seconds. I'm sure that is what was intended when they wrote the 2nd amendment. I shed tears today for those who were killed. I shed tears for the thousands of people who are affected by this tragedy. I shed tears today bc for the first time in my life, I hate this country.

[Fishbone345]

@mtkopf The Founding Fathers would have wanted things to change with the times. The very nature of the Constitution provides for amending it. Hence, the Amendments. Its supposed to be amended, its supposed to be rewritten for hells sakes.
Look what Thomas Jefferson said about it...
"Every constitution, then, and every law, naturally expires at the end of nineteen years. If it be enforced longer, it is an act of force, and not of right."