NEWTOWN, Conn. – A shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday left the gunman dead and at least one teacher wounded and sent frightened pupils into the parking lot. CBS News is reporting that law enforcement officers have confirmed several children have been killed. Reports also say it’s unclear if there was more than one gunman at the school. The shooter was killed and apparently had two guns, a person with knowledge of the shooting said.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still under way. It wasnt clear how many people were injured at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. A dispatcher at the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps said a teacher had been shot in the foot and taken to Danbury Hospital. Andrea Rynn, a spokeswoman at the hospital, said it had three patients from the school but she did not have information on the extent or nature of their injuries. Brenda Lebinski, whose 8-year-old daughter attends the school, was among the parents who raced to check on their children. “I saw her and it was the happiest moment of my life,” she said. Stephen Delgiadice said his 8-year-old daughter heard two big bangs and teachers told her to get in a corner. His daughter was not harmed. “Its alarming, especially in Newtown, Connecticut, which we always thought was the safest place in America,” he said. Lisa Terifay, who was holding her two children outside the school, said she was stunned. “I still cant believe its happened in my town,” she said. The superintendents office said the district had locked down schools in Newtown, about 60 miles northeast of New York City.
Schools in neighbouring towns also were locked down as a precaution. State police said Newtown police called them around 9:40 a.m. A SWAT team was among the throngs of police to respond. Photos from the scene showed young students – some crying, others looking visibly frightened – being escorted by adults through a parking lot in a line, hands on each others shoulders. Connecticuts governor was on the scene in Newtown. The White House said President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting and was receiving updates.
more at Global BC | 27 people killed in Connecticut school shooting, American reports say.