The school shooting in Connecticut has officially been declared one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S history as the death toll rises to at least 28 people including children.
The number of the deceased includes 20 children all between the ages of 5 and 10.
The gunman was found dead inside the school building after taking the lives of nearly 30 people before he is believed to have taken his own life.
The gunman has finally been identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza of New Jersey, previously believed to be Ryan Lanza, 24. The shooter carried the identification of his older brother Ryan, causing the initial confusion.
According to the reports, the tragedy began when Lanza entered a classroom where is mother was a teacher. He then shot and killed his mother before firing blindly at everyone else who remained inside the classroom.
Experts believe that although the exact motive is not certain, the shooter’s reason for the bloody killing is likely connected to a trouble relationship with his mother while several others have already dubbed the shooter as “mentally unstable.”
Ryan bas been brought into questioning, making it unclear if he was involved in the deadly shooting.
Police pointed out that it was the quick thinking of teachers and staff members that prevented even more children from being murdered. Teachers instructed the students to grab a friend and head for safety – the firehouse just across the street.
Photos have been released of adults helping the children to safety as they all tightly grasped one another by the shoulders.
Amidst the chaos, only three people were taken to Danbury Hospital – a number that police wish would have been much higher. The hospital prepared to save the lives of dozens, but unfortunately discovered that the number of lives lost was already much higher than the number of lives that could have possibly been saved.
It was only 9:30 am when the State police received a call from the Newton police about the horrendous tragedy.
“On- and off-duty troopers responded to the school, and with Newton police immediately upon arrival entered the school and began an active shooter search,” Lieutenant Vance said.
By 10:30am the President had been briefed of the school shooting and made a televised appearance to discuss the tragedy around 3:00 pm.
“This evening Michelle and I will do what every parent in America will do… which is hug our children tightly,” the President said in a public statement.
He went on to point out that many families in Connecticut won’t be able to do the same so now it is time for America to let them know that we, as a nation, are there for them.
“May God bless the memory of the victims,” Obama said as he wiped away tears.
Seven adults were also shot including the school’s principle and psychologist who have both been pronounced dead.
Some witnesses reported hearing as much as 100 shots being fired while children were immediately huddled into closets and the corners of their classrooms until it was safe for them to escape to the nearby firehouse.
Police have discovered a Glock and a Sig Sauer from the suspect, and it is believed that the suspect had two additional weapons in his possession.
The Connecticut elementary school shooting has easily trumped the death toll of Columbine High School shooting back in 1999 that took the lives of 12 students and a teacher. It stands behind only Virginia Tech, where more than 30 people died by a lone gunman. The tragedy, with innocent children gone and others scarred for life is no doubt in a category by itself.
President Obama addresses the nation
