News & Views

UPDATE 5:00: 27 dead including 20 children. 18 died at the school, 2 at a hospital.

UPDATE 12:48: "Close to 20” people have been killed, including at least 10 children, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation says.

UPDATE 12:30: Now we are hearing reports of more than a dozen deaths. Looking for official confirmation via other news sources.

UPDATE 12:20: Witnesses now saying there was shooting in a kindergarten classroom. The principal and school psychologist were killed. Contrary to previous reports we are now hearing children were shot and at least one child was killed.

This is the kind of news that makes a parent's heart stop. This morning police responded to reports of a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. According to witnesses, the gunman entered the building shortly before 9:40 a.m. and fired shots in the school office. Reportedly there have been "multiple injuries" and at least three people, including a teacher shot in the foot, have been sent to the hospital. The shooter is dead but there are rumors of a second shooter still at large.

More from The Stir: Children Killed in Newtown School Shooting Nightmare Could Have Been Mine

The children at the school were evacuated. According to the last NPR report, no children were shot. But one witness claims to have seen two injured children, one with blood on their face and one with a shot hand. I hope it's not true. Children in classrooms did hear the shots coming from the office. State troopers and local police have swarmed the school now and police are investigating. Details are trickling out and they're all a nightmare.

I'm furious over this -- and heartsick. I have an elementary-aged child and I still can't even fathom how horrifying this must be for the parents of the kids at Sandy Hook Elementary. And those poor kids! Apparently they're terrified, crying. This is the kind of trauma we never want a child to experience.

Because the shooter (or shooters?) went straight for the school office, we can speculate that their target was another adult. I hope! But even so, what kind of selfish asshole goes after another adult at a SCHOOL?!? And if it turns out the shooter killed himself -- ugh, that is just the lowest, most cowardly way out.

But my thoughts are mostly with the children, teachers, and parents involved. Police will be giving an update later this afternoon and we will be posting an update.  

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What would you do if your child were at this school?

Image via NBCConnecticut.com