US News

Connecticut Elementary School Massacre claims 27 lives

By April MacIntyre Dec 14, 2012, 20:03 GMT

CNN is reporting live that at least 27 people are dead—including at least 18 children, aged 5 through 10—were shot and murdered in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, that serves kindergarten through fourth grade.

CNN is reporting live that at least 27 people are dead—including at least 18 children, aged 5 through 10—were shot and murdered in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, that serves kindergarten through fourth grade.

President Obama, wiping away tears, expressed his distress and faltered when he spoke of the lost lives of the victims, and asked all Americans to pray for the families and be better citizens in the next few days as support for the grieving families is rallied.

UPDATE: 20 children are now reported dead by CNN.

CNN reports that the shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, is deceased. His mother Nancy Lanza was also murdered, and was a kindergarten teacher at the school.

Lanza was reportedly dressed in black and a bulletproof vest, and armed with four weapons.

He is still dead inside the school. It is unknown if he took his own life or if he was taken down by police.

Two 9mm handguns were recovered at the scene. Associated Press is reporting that a .223 caliber rifle was also used.

Students and faculty were evacuated to a nearby firehouse.

In a series of heartbreaking news updates, CNN interviewed first respnders and parents and children who are part of the school to comment on what happened. Parents were frantic to get to their children after a "robocall" went out that a shooting had occured at the school.

Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy was contacted immediately by President Obama, who offered his full support.