18 children killed in US school massacre
In one of the worst mass shootings in US history, at least 18 schoolchildren and 9 adults were killed on Friday by a single gunman who rampaged through an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
The attack comes after a series of shooting rampages in the United States this year that have killed multiple victims.
The alleged attacker, 24, was armed with four weapons and a bullet-proof vest, local channel WABC reported. He also allegedly killed his mother, a teacher at the school.
The principal and school psychologist were among the dead, according to CNN.
Police searching the home of the deceased gunman later found the body of his father, officials said.
“We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. Each time I learn the news I react not as a president but as anybody else would as a parent,” said US President Barack Obama in a news conference on the massacre.
“May god bless the memory of the victims and in the words of scripture heal the broken hearted and bind up their wounds.”
There were unconfirmed reports of a second shooter after witnesses reported hearing dozens of shots fired. Another person was being held in police custody after he was detained in the woods near the school wearing camouflage pants, CBS reported.
Sandy Hook Elementary School teaches children from kindergarten through fourth grade - roughly ages 5 to 10.
“Everyone was in hysterics - parents, students. There were kids coming out of the school bloodied. I don’t know if they were shot, but they were bloodied,” said parent Brenda Lebinski, who rushed to the school where her daughter is in the third grade.
Television images showed police and ambulances at the scene, and parents rushing toward the school. Parents were seen reuniting with their children and taking them home.
“This is going to be bad,” a state official told Reuters, requesting anonymity because the scope of the tragedy remained uncertain.
All Newtown schools were placed on lockdown after the shooting, the Newtown Public School District said.
Lebinski said a mother who was at the school during the shooting told her a “masked man” entered the principal’s office and may have shot the principal.
A girl interviewed by NBC Connecticut described hearing seven loud “booms” as she was in gym class.
Meanwhile, The Hartford Courant reported that an entire classroom of students is unaccounted for after the shooting, citing unnamed sources.
Connecticut State Police said its officers were at the scene with local police but provided no additional details.
Newtown, with a population of about 27,000, is about 130 km northeast of New York City. Sandy Hook is one of four elementary schools in the district.
President Obama has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims “of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut,” according to a release from the White House.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2012.
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oh...thats really awful !i can just say this!I am just an Iranian girl but when i heard this sad news...i am really sorry for their families!God bless their families.
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: Does Media talks or does make any sad news when Muslim kids killed in Palestine, Afghanistan or Syria. We started to act differently when something happens in west.
so sad. The innocent should be spared.
@Rana Usman: America was targeting terrorists and not children but the Taliban was targeting children when they attacked schools and shot at malala. Can you comprehend that difference or you prefer to ignore that?
Killing thousands around the world to make America safe but America is still not safe, A sad reality. :(
It was a very sad news but what about the children's that die in "Drone" strike or in Afghan War?
At Raj... Well it's reality that I'm forced to use muslims name because Muslims are being targeted in the world, and they have ruined the Muslims reputation, but still its the most fastet growing religion in the World. Terrorists have at least some reason to fight. I don't defend their activities. But these acts are worst than terrorists.
and they used to call it "civilized west" .
First of all no-doubt and definitely this is the most tragic and saddened incident and secondly what about the innocent and sinless 1-Afghan and Pakistani children who are being killed by the US',NATO's forces and US' drones' strikes, 2-Palestinian children killed by the Israeli forces and aircraft and 3-Kashmiri children killed by the Indian troops almost daily....... Please stop these innocent and sinless children's killings and protest and condemn as the media and US are protesting and condemning the US' schools' children's killings before the world because children are always children doesn't matter muslims' children or non-muslims' children......
Your country is receiving massive amount of money in foreign aid and is harboring terrorists . Your defense department takes the money and turns around pats the terrorists on the head and behind and hands them a check and "go, but be more discreet, next time."
As a native Pakistani American I am shocked that all you have have decided to air the ills of Pakistan as a forum when 20 young children were killed by a deranged young man. None of you had the decency and respect for the families of these lost angels to vent your frustrations. These children are not connected to US foreign to drones, to the thousands of children slaughtered in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Somalia or Afghanistan, These innocent souls did not tell the Pakistani Taliban to attempt to kill another young girl in Pakistan. There are a few decent post that offer prayers and hope to the deceased families the rest of you should be ashamed of your rants and showing disrespect to the memory of the dead,
Tears for american kids killed by an american,,No tears for thousands of syrian chilldren mudered all because of interfirence from usa what about the Libyian children or those of Iraq/Afganistan MURDERED by the americans,,, usa is a Hypocrit of the worse kind...
@True Picture: US, time to change your policies now, control your terrorists, change gun laws & curb the drug war.
Many Pakistanis have been arrested for terrorism related charges in US this year alone in US alone. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the biggest exporters of opium based illegal drugs in the whole world. War on terror is a money making machine for Pakistan. Talibans were ready to give up Osama Bin Laden to avoid war, but were prevented by ISI and Pakistani army to do that. Just do some research on the Internet.
@Kashif: And lets not forget the 60,000 or so children in remote places like Pak, Afghanistan etc who have been killed in airstrikes by the US Government.
Let us also not forget 3 million people killed by Pakistani army in Bangladesh and a few million in Afghanistan by playing talibans. Talibans created by Pakistan are still killing Afghanis and Pakistanis. Millions were killed by Muslim invaders in India only.
@Sonia Butt Khayani: "This is a very sad day for America. This has been a bad month for us Americans we had two crazy shooting in a period of a couple of weeks."
Thanks for sharing the story. Most likely this is the work of a mentally deranged person who used guns registered in his mothers name. This guy also killed his mother.
@Rana Usman: "After all this, I must also remind you that according to Telegraph, 168 Pakistani innocent children are killed so far in drone campaign of USA."
How many women and innocent children have been killed by Muslim suicide bombers and terrorists in mosques, markets and funerals in Pakistan?
Don't forget Pakistan government killed 3 million people in East Pakistan.
How many Shias and Ahmadis have been killed by Sunnis in Pakistan?
Drone will not be needed if Pakistan army takes care of the terrorists. Pakistani people help find terrorists for drone strikes to get money. Terrorists are trained openly in camps all over the Pakistan.
Pakistan jihadis are trying to spread their Jihad and sharia in many countries. Most of these people are freeloaders living on government welfare
@Gujrati: You are confirming what I have said. You bring in the point of Muslims Vs. others. You also confirm that those in Pakistan have support form others and groups. This lunatic in USA did not do it for the cause of any religion but the underlying thought in your mind is Muslim Vs. others. It is the muslims in Pakistan killing other muslims and muslims and that too in the name of and for the cause of Islam. Yet other muslims support them. I, like many have never been able to understand this logic and way of thinking. What is the point of bringing muslims Vs. non muslims here, is beyond my comprehension. If a person acts all by himself and does not have support from any group he is lunatic and mentally sick. But, if he belongs to a group and has support of that group, he is acting with an agenda, he is a terrorist.
This story has origin in 1960’s. Up to this time mental health patients were treated in the asylum. Then the Pharmaceutical companies and researchers came up with cheap drugs to treat these patients with very effective pills. New treatment for Depression, Schizophrenia and Epilepsy came along. This allowed governments to empty the mental asylums. People now live in the society on pill for mental health but without support system. Some of these patients on a bad day forget to take their pill or if the dose is not adjusted than they are in trouble.
Members of Desi community is no immune to mass shooters either: Kimveer Singh Gill (July 9, 1981 – September 13, 2006) was the Canadian perpetrator of the Dawson College shooting at Dawson College in Westmount,Quebec, Canada on September 13, 2006. He killed one student and wounded nineteen others before he died by suicide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimveer_Gill
Those jumping up and down and linking this story with terrorism should pause and realize that same thing is happening with their friends and family members. Mental health is a stigma and no one wants to talk to their friends about it. Recent study suggests that talk therapy is as effective as the pills.Look around and see if one of your friend needs your ears to talk.
@ Kashif ----bombs countries around the world killing tons of innocent people and guess what, it’s own people kill their own innocent people.
Same applies to so call non state actors too.
@ Raj Yes those in Pak are terrorist in your eyes because they have been fighting against their enemies, I wonder If a Muslim was involved in such activity he was a terrorist but if somebody else does he has socialy awkwardness and psychologically Disabilty. Hats of you theses launtic are worst then terrorists.
I live just 10 minutes away from that school...thanks God our kids are safe but my heart is broken... i offer condolences and deep grief to the families who lost their love ones... Rip
Kids Are Kids Everywhere Don't Kill Them Kiss them.
Tragic Killings in US School
President Barack Obama, wiping away tears and pausing to collect his emotions in an address to the nation, mourned the “beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old” who were killed.
“Our hearts are broken today, for the parents, and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children and for the families of the adults who were lost,” Obama said, his voice cracking.
The tragic school killings of children and adults in America is really an abhor-able act and must be condemned vehemently.
However, world must not forget the killings of GAZA children by the Israeli Defence forces using American supplied F-16's; and killings of Pakistani kids by the illegal American drone attacks.
Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, the humanity is also looking for tears in your eyes, for these unfortunate children also.
@Rana Usman: This killer was a lunatic and not a terrorist. No one supports him here in USA nor does he belong to any group nor does he have an agenda. However, those in Pakistan are terrorists as they have support from tribes, political and religious leaders and they operate as an organized group with an agenda.
All said, like many here in USA, I feel that there must be stricter controls on owning guns.
Indeed it is a great loss.May Allah give courage to bereaved families.It is also a high time for Mr.Obama to ponder over loss of our innocent children in drone attacks.
Can't we keep politics out of this and just mourn the loss of these children. It's absolutely horrifying and disgusting. How on earth can you shoot an innocent child at point blank range, let alone 20 of them? This isn't about terrorism. I sure hope the Americans wake up and now introduce gun control. Then again, WHY on earth would you need guns in the first place? This is simply unimaginable..
It’s tragic and heart wrenching incident, no words to describe grief and shock! Kids are the only genuine reason of similes, happiness and beauty of this world. I offer my heartiest bereavement to the enduring families. I wish to see a day when world became free of these horrible creatures who even not spare kids. It’s a global tragedy that should be condemned loudly along with drones, school blowing Taliban and rabid dogs like Adam Lanza
@Afghan American: Pakistan was way safer before this so called war on terror, you need to know the facts before you talk about Pakistan or any other place. Same goes for Afghanistan & Iraq where US invasion led to millions of people losing their lives. Wherever US goes there is a bloodbath, Vietnam, Korea war, Hiroshima & Nagasaki (US the only country to use nuclear bombs that too on civilians), Somalia & so on. There is a reason why people hate US policies.
So long arms are available like toys this is bound to happen time and again sorry for the little angeles lost in the incedent but the Americans must think about it at the earliest.
@Rana Usman: Malala was a child. I forget, who was responsible for shooting her in head? Who is responsible for such incomprehensible attacks on children whom wish to attend school and empower themselves with knowledge? That's right, your strategic assets are responsible. Please don't point your finger at the morals of America. You have a lot to learn from a nation like America.
So US found any links of shooter with Muslim community or with Al Qaeeda or with Pakistan? If not, they will surely link this target with Muslims/ Pakistan. For sure..
Its really sad to see these attacks happening so often in US for past couple of years, its about time US looks within its own borders to curb such acts of terrorism from happening again, the danger is now lurking within your border's not from outside & not to forget the Mexican border where drug war has gone out of hands where more then 40,000 people have been killed so far since 2006. US, time to change your policies now, control your terrorists, change gun laws & curb the drug war.
The way people feel about this school attacker is exactly how we feel about the fallout of war on terror on our land, not to forget the plight of Iraqi & Afghani children from US invasion.
God bless the victims.
I extend the sincerest Condolence on the loss of Kinder-Garden flowers. May they Bloom in the Heavens and there families find solaces in this world.
@Rana Usman: Beautifully said. I couldn't agree with you more!
So many sweet, innocent, and unsuspecting children going down to a lunatic(s). So many angels born to loving parents. No more laughter, no more mischief. No more toffees, gifts, dolls, baseball bats. No more shopping sprees. No more holidays. The parents and kin might descend into a depression. May Allah Almighty help them. May Allah Almighty in His infinite mercy and ever-loving care compassion keep the children and others with Him. Ameen.
Where does the right to possess a gun 'begin' and 'end' Mr. Obama!? Now is the time to start controlling the violence in USA. Its never too late. In Pakistan, the political greed of PPP and PMLN has led to this insatiable lust for power by licensing prohibited bores and promoting the curse of corruption.
Salams
It's sad that such massacres go on regularly in the US. They need to have gun control laws that will stop such violence. My prayers are for those innocent families who lost their precious children to a deranged man.
Did u see any real tear from this imposter , other than constantly flicking his dry eyes ?
America bombs countries around the world killing tons of innocent people and guess what, it's own people kill their own innocent people. Sorry for the unfortunate loss for everyone involved though this shouldn't happen anywhere., And lets not forget the 60,000 or so children in remote places like Pak, Afghanistan etc who have been killed in airstrikes by the US Government. Where are your tears for these children Obama.
Very sad incident..God bless all victims and their families.
sad
Children are Children Your Children or My Children
They are innocent as for They only know smiles
For they are the flowers. Roses in compile times.
USA must now give more attention to terrorism that is breeding inside than paying attention to other countries. What good have you done by killing OBL if you cant protect your own children? It is rather shameful to tell world that you are doing a lot against terrorism.
Today we exactly know how it feels to have children killed, as I said, these kids were beyond nationalities. They were after all blooming kids.
After all this, I must also remind you that according to Telegraph, 168 Pakistani innocent children are killed so far in drone campaign of USA.
I leave it upon all of you to think over it.
This is a very sad day for America. This has been a bad month for us Americans we had two crazy shooting in a period of a couple of weeks.
President Obama could not hold back his tears as he addressed the nation to send his condolences to the families that lost these angels and the adults in this severe tragedy.
The Second Amendment allow its citizens to bear arms and we all respect that but there are certain loop holes int the law that allow deranged individuals to get access to permits that allows them gun ownership. America is no stranger to the many assassinations of its Presidents and yet the NRA has an influential lobby in congress that allows very little gun restrictions. Will this sad occurrence make a difference, probably not as other incidents have had zero affect on the existing gun laws.
Please send your prayers...support....love ...to the families who have lost little angels and during this Holiday season will have to bear the huge loss which no parents desire.
Also if you want to post try to check your negative comments for another time. Thank you