Last night there were 20 families that did not say good night to their children. Children that attended Shady Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, but never came home. Why, we don’t yet know. We may never know. Because heinous acts like this really have no logical explanation. There are six other families whose loved one did not come home after the school day, adults who worked at Shady Hook.
A young man, 20 years old, apparently killed his mother Nancy by shooting her in the face. Then he drove her car to the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, a quiet, hilly town in New England where it is said she taught kindergarten, and went on a hideous shooting spree.
He was in possession of three guns, one a Glock, all legally belonging to his mother. In a matter of minutes, he killed 18 children. Two were terribly wounded. Adam Lanza, dressed in black battle fatigues, took it upon himself to methodically kill both adults and children before he killed himself. It is said that he never uttered a word during this appalling incident.
It was early morning. About 9:30 a.m. A normal Friday, less than two weeks before Christmas. Adam Lanza somehow got past the security system and made his way through the front door. He did not roam the school, but went straight to what are assumed to be his targets. As though he had it all planned out. I’m sure he probably did, because they usually do.
Teachers did their best to secure students and hide them from who knows what was happening. Gun fire, inexplicable in the early part of a normal school day. They crammed them in bathrooms, barricading the doors. Any place they could find in such a small amount of time, in which to hide their students from something so unimaginable.
The children, all so young, were mystified as to what was occurring. One teacher said they had to be quiet because of a bad man. And that they had to wait for the good men to find them.
Last night, those young deceased children were still in that school, along with the adults. Among them the principal and psychologist. Awaiting the processing of the scene of the rampage. It is part of a criminal investigation in which to gather evidence and clues. Twenty children, six adults, the shooter. Two of the children were taken to the hospital, but they did not make it.
The doctor in the ER doctor said they were awaiting more children, more injured victims, when they got a call. There will be no more arrivals, he was told by authorities. He said they were stunned with grief when they heard that.
Parents were called and told not to go to the school, but to the fire department. At the fire department, parents rushed inside to look for their children. Hoping they would find them. Hoping they were not still in that school, where only the dead remained.
This town is stunned, the citizens in mourning. And the why of it not even really important at this point. There is no preparation for something like this. It is the worst of crimes, an evil undertaking, that one cannot predict. An event made even more tragic because of the increasingly senseless crimes just like this that are happening more and more often in this country.
The principal and psychologist are dead. This school, the teachers and children, will need much emotional support. Innocent as they were brought to school this morning, they are innocent no longer.
There will be far reaching consequences for the survivors. Post traumatic stress, a sense of fear they perhaps cannot put into words. The witnesses could suffer survivor guilt.
Once again, we will look at the gun laws, which in Connecticut are quite strict, and wonder what more we can do to keep these guns out of the hands of those demented and calculating enough to carry out such a shocking crime.
Psychiatrists will go over this young man’s history in minute detail. They will try to piece together what happened in Newtown. Looking for an answer. When really, no answer would be acceptable.
President Obama, normally stoic and presidential, broke down twice when standing at the podium speaking to the nation. He stopped twice during his briefing, overcome with emotion. He of course has two school aged daughters of his own.
The words “possible personality disorder” are being bandied about. “Genius and quiet” have been the common words of former classmates. Phrases such as: Stayed under the radar, a loner, kept to himself.”
Naturally thoughts of mental illness has reared its head within this tragedy. Yet this massacre was carried out in such a calculated manner, that it almost defies the idea of a chaotic mental breakdown.
This was a young man living in a prosperous, well-to-do neighborhood. In a town of 27,000 citizens about 60 miles northeast of New York City. No criminal history, an honors student.
Parents were shuffled about throughout the day, awaiting news of their children. Over time, the survivors were reunited with their families. And of course there were the parents who finally learned that their children were dead.
An official finally made the announcement that there would be no more reunions. No more survivors would be brought forth.
(Note: All photos via internet sources.)
It is hard to find words to express the sense of devastation and senselessness of this terrible tragedy. One has to wonder what it will take to stop this madness.
Hugs,
Laura
Well, I think getting the gun lobbyists and NRA to back off Congress would be a first step, certainly. And also put more resources into detecting mental health issues, which has sadly been underfunded.
Brenda
I totally agree on both points. I signed up for Mayors Against Guns which is campaigning for gun control. It iso tragic that we allow this to happen.
It is so heartbreaking thinking of everyone involved. Nothing we can do but pray. (((((HUGS))))
You’re so right, Debby. We all feel so helpless.
Brenda
I have no more words. Signs like those you described above when relating to a young person need to be further explored, and dealt with. AND NO ONE EXCEPT MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT needs to have semi automatic assault weapons in their possession. I don’t give a hoot about the 2nd amendment, not today. May the victims RIP, and may their families left behind find the strength they need to go on with their lives. xo
Those who shout 2nd Amendment please stand up now and tell us what you think about all these innocent children’s lives so abruptly ended.
Brenda
Barbara ,
I so agree with your statement~Please Lord let’s wake up as a nation ans talk openly about this~
Assualt weapons have NO place on the public market. How many times must we go through this? Write your congressman and the NRA.
Newtown is one of the safest communities here in Connecticut, you would never believe this could happen in that small, safe, charming town. I feel so badly for the victims, their families – unfathomable.
Sadly, it happens everywhere. We use to think gang-infested communities were the biggest threats to society. Now it is genius-level young people from well to do communities whose problems have obviously been running under the radar of appropriate agencies. AND who manage so easily to get guns that have no place in our communities whatsoever.
Brenda
Hi Brenda…. When the news broke yesterday I was immediately beside myself in agony for the parents and grandparents and siblings of these innocent sweet children. I have a 5 yr old grandaughter who is in kindergarten. I cannot, nor do I EVER want to experience what these families are going thru. The pain of a loss this big will never cease for any of them. I had plans to go christmas shopping today. I am just stuck in sadness. I must go… but it seems so trivial. But I wont disappoint my grandaughters , so MIMI will go with a heavy heart.
This insanity has GOT to stop. I dont have the answers but I know I have had more than my heart is capable to handle. Innocent sweet children and their teachers and principal and school counselor just gone in a flash. SOO unreal to wrap my head around. The US has a HUGE problem and somehow, someway we have got to stop this insanity. WHY would a mother need all those guns?
I pray you will have a peaceful day and join me in prayers for the families involved.
Mary Jane
I think Christmas festivities will be muted in many families this year. This is just too big a tragedy to get excited about unwrapping presents.
Brenda
Brenda,
It is all so horrid. I cannot imagine the grief that is being dealt with by the loss these people have had. Those poor babies and the adults and now the ones left behind. Just all so sad that our this is happening in our schools and elsewhere in our country.
And people in other countries turn to us and ask: why do you have guns like this all over your streets? Why indeed?
Brenda
A well-written piece, Brenda. One I know you wish you had never had cause to write. I am heartbroken and sick. I am praying- xo Diana
Sadly, I felt I had to address such an atrocity. I am heartbroken as well. When I was a child, this was inconceivable.
Brenda
Hi Brenda…The DEVIL has arrived in our world..we all need to worship our HEAVENLY FATHER more and let him back into our schools like he was when we went to school years ago…we had Christmas parties..we got to say the pledge of allegence…the devil had no openings to swoop in then as he does now… and sorry to say he is LOVING it!!gun conrol will NEVER be and mental illness is just a cop out…what this man did was deliberate and carried out as so…may he burn in HELL for eternity!!! love ya! Carol
I just can’t even bring myself to think about this. This is why I had a sick feeling in my stomach when here in Oklahoma in November they decided its fine for citizens to walk around with guns. People owning guns does nothing to help deter the horrid things that the mentally unstable and criminals do with them. It just gives them easier access. Less…guns less violence. Seems obvious and yet we vote on it and no one seems to get it.
You did a great job on this post. Not a big Christmas here either. We are waiting to hear when my Mom will have heart surgery. We are not panicking. We are calm about it but it takes the cheer off the season. I had an awful Christmas last year and hoped for one without worries they year…but just does not seem to be.
I hope you are doing ok…How is that foot of your’s?
China has had a rash of this type of incident. Since Chinese citizens are not allowed to own guns the perpetrators use knives or axes to hack their victims – defenseless school children.
I lived in CT for most of my life. It is a lovely place that evil came to visit last Friday. So many unanswered questions and such a senseless act. I pray for the families of these sweet children that they will no longer be able to tuck into bed at night. I pray for the families of those brave staff members who died trying to protect those dear ones. I pray for the children who survived and lost classmates, best friends and beloved teachers and staff. I have 2 grandsons who are in 1st grade in 2 different states. One of them I picked up from school Friday and hugged real tight, the other I called when he got home from school and told him I loved him. Children should not have to be afraid to go to school. My heart is heavy and families have been forever changed. God is the only one who can heal this kind of pain.
We had a school shooting in our community years back. The response from the people in the town was of shock that this could happen here, in a town where we rarely even lock our doors. It can happen any where, any time.
I too have questioned any mention of mental illness as he was able to drive to the school without drawing attention to himself, I’m guessing following most road rules, not driving erratically and so on.
The one thing I am grateful for is that the gunman in this situation is dead. Having a back ground in Child Psychology, and a mother and grandmother, I can only describe this as the boogeyman. If he were still alive, no promises of him being locked up and not being able to harm the surviving children would be enough to begin to allow their families to start the process of repairing the sense of fear (or PTSD) these children will feel. This is something no young child should ever experience.
Personally I think it is now time for the media and bloggers to step aside and let these people grieve and heal without the world looking down on them. It doesn’t change what we feel in our hearts and holding them in our prayers in silence.
I worry the more talk the bigger the chance of a copycat. What brought me to this was a idiot Fox reporter who put the camera on a woman with an INFANT carrier, turned to the camera and say there is one baby who will not becoming home, this is when I thought this is too much, let these people grieve.
Citizens should not be allowed to own assault weapons but crazy people and criminals will still find ways to possess them and do harm with them. Therefore, citizens should have small arms for self protection and take safety classes (which include target-shooting) so they will know all the rules (like keep them away from children and idiots) and be able to fire them properly and safely when they are in danger.
Everyone should treat guns with respect. Will our government outlaw assault weapons? Not as long as there are lobbyists (in their government-paid-for White House offices-did you know?) who give them money and gifts to vote what the lobbyists want!!