Principal target of school shooting in Connecticut

Added by Erik West on December 14, 2012

The Principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut was the target of a shooting that took place at the school early on Friday (local time).

Updated article: Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting claims 28

Last update at 4:41 eastern – 21:41 GMT/UTC

Resource: Time zone converter

At 3:37pm police updated the count of the dead – There are 26 people dead – 18 children died at the school, 2 children at the hospital, and 6 adults; hundreds of shots were fired; 4 guns used, among them, 2 Glock handguns and a rifle. The guns were found on the gunman’s body; the rifle was in the gunman’s car.

The shooting took place in one section of the school and within two rooms of that one section.

A witness at the scene says the Principal was shot and killed during the shooting. The school psychologist has reportedly been killed as well.

This is expected to become the second-worst shooting in the US – the worst was Virgina Tech in April 2007, where 32 people were killed 17 wounded.

The name of the shooter is Adam Lanza, aged 24 – he killed himself after the shooting.

Reports say the “gunman was found dead in the school.”

New information – Lanza’s girlfriend and another friend are missing in New Jersey.

Reports say Lanza went to the school using his mother’s car, opened fire in front office, then went to mother’s kindergarten class – Nancy Lanza, killed his mother, and then opened fire within the class.

Lanza was able to gain access to the school since his mother was a teacher at the school; the school normally requires non-students or staff to be escorted throughout the school. (continues after photo…)

Adam Lanza’s brother is being held in custody; he was found outside the school. Lanza reportedly said he was “going to kill everyone”.

** UPDATE: Ryan Lanza was NOT the shooter – Adam Lanza is the gunman and Ryan Lanza is in custody. Article updated.

Ryan Lanza apparently wrote on facebook “I’m on the bus home now, it wasn’t me.”

Unconfirmed photo of Ryan Lanza’s facebook page (the page is no longer active on facebook)

Unconfirmed photo of Ryan Lanza’s facebook page (the page is no longer active on facebook)

At least three people have been taken to a local hospital with, witnesses say, “a couple of dozen people shot.” Among the injured is a teacher that received non-life-threatening injuries after being shot. The dead include the gunman along with at 8 children.

A witness said the gunman went from classroom to classroom shooting students and adults.

The dead gunman reportedly had multiple weapons, was heavily armed, and his body remains in one of the classrooms.

It has been confirmed the gunman murdered his father at his home in New Jersey before going to the school, where his mother worked at the school – the gunman’s mother is also dead.

The hospital posted the following statement, “We are here to care for any victims and their families in any way they need us. Our hearts and prayers are extended to anyone involved in this terrible tragedy. To date, three patients have been transported to Danbury Hospital from the scene.”

A child in the school gymnasium said she heard seven loud shots – their teacher told them to hide in a corner. The children avoided screaming yet were crying. The teacher got the students to the office, where a policeman get them out of the school; the children went to the nearby fire station to wait for their parents.

As children were lead out of the school, police told children to keep their eyes closed and hold hands – likely to avoid traumatizing them.

President Barack Obama has been notified about the shooting incident and will receive regular updates throughout the day, said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

“We’re still waiting for more information about the incident in Connecticut,” Carney said when asked about the president’s reaction to it.

Obama has said he remains committed to trying to renew a ban on assault weapons, Carney said.

Carney said there would be time later for a discussion of policy implications.

At a press conference at 3:19pm, a visibly shaken President Obama, who had to pause several times during his speech said “not a parent in America that doesn’t feel the same grief that I do”

Obama added, “…this has happened too often. We’ll have to come together to take meaningful action, regardless of politics. I will do everything in power as president to help.”

A 17 year old eyewitness said he will never forget the image of a young child lying lifeless.

A car – possibly the shooter’s – is cordoned-off and has a New Jersey license plate.

In a press conference with local police, the confirmed the facts available publicly and did not take any questions.

Shortly after the police press conference, reports say 20 parents/families have been notified their children are dead.

Governor Daniel Malloy may hold a press conference at 3:30pm (20:30 GMT/UTC) – the press conference continues to be delayed; he is in the fire station, speaking with parents prior to releasing information publicly. The only parents left in the fire station are those with victims or missing children.

Flags within Connecticut are being flown at half-staff; President Obama ordered all official flags in public places to be flown at half-staff until Tuesday.

Sandy Hook Elementary School, located on Dickson Drive in Fairfield County is one of four schools in the district and has 456 children in attendance.

Today’s incident is among other incidents that include 22 children killed and 52 injured in China by a knife-wielding killer.

Resource: Time zone converter

A family member has reportedly been found dead in a home in Newtown; neighbors were evacuated at approximately 11:00am.