UPDATE: The shooter has been identified as Ryan Lanza. According to police, the gunman was in his 20s and was wearing all black. A second suspect was taken into custody by police. Grief counselors have been called to a nearby fire station to speak with parents and students.
Children at a Connecticut elementary school fled to safety after a gunman opened fire Friday (Dec. 14). The shooter was killed by police, while 27 people, including 18 children, were killed.
Among the victims were the school’s psychologist and the principal.
According to CNN the shooting erupted at 9:35 a.m. at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. “I was in the gym and I heard a loud, like seven loud booms, and the gym teachers told us to go in the corner, so we all huddled,” one student said. “And I kept hearing these booming noises. And we all … started crying.
“All the gym teachers told us to go into the office where no one could find us,” she added. “So then a police officer came in and told us to run outside. So we did and we came in the firehouse and waited for our parents.”
The gunman is beleived to have fired at least 100 rounds. Two 9mm handguns were recovered from the crime scene.
Children were led to a local firehouse, with each grabbing onto a partner, as they made their way to safety.
Police have yet to reveal a motive or release the shooter’s information.
President Obama was just informed of the incident and is expected to make a statement on the tragedy.
This latest shooting is sure to increase pressure on the Obama administration to improve gun control laws in the country.
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Photos: AP
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