The United States is in shock after a mass shooting left 28 people in Connecticut dead, including 20 children.
More details are starting to emerge about the carnage, which also claimed the lives of seven adults and the suspected gunman.
Here is what is known so far about the timeline of events which began on a seemingly ordinary Friday morning, only weeks away from the Christmas holidays.
14 December 2012 morningThe suspect, widely reported to be 20-year-old Adam Lanza, shot and killed his mother Nancy Lanza at their home in Yogananda Street in Newtown, an affluent town of 27,000 people about 60 miles northeast of New York City. It is still not clear why Lanza killed his mother, who the Associated Press news agency reported had divorced Lanza's father Peter four years ago. A parent told AP that Nancy Lanza was a substitute teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, but this is not confirmed.
Journey to schoolThe AP says that after killing his mother, Lanza drove his mother's car to the school, which has around 700 pupils aged between 5 and 10-years-old. He was armed with at least three weapons. Two handguns - a Glock and Sig Sauer - were later found inside the school and .223-calibre rifle was found in the back of the car.
Entry into schoolVisitors to the school have to be buzzed in by a member of staff. The school's headteacher, Dawn Hochsprung, recognised Lanza and let him in, according to the New York Times. It was around 09:30.
Shooting begins
The police lead children away from Sandy Hook Elementary School Children hid in classrooms during the
shootingThe police were notified of shooting at the school over their radios at 09:36, report The New York Post. A school employee ran through the halls, warning of a gunman on the loose, and someone switched on the intercom, alerting people in the building to the attack by letting them hear the hysteria going on in the school office, a teacher told AP. Teachers locked their doors and ordered children to huddle in a corner or hide in cupboards as shots echoed through the building. Six adults, including Ms Hochsprung, and 18 children were killed at the scene.
Abrupt endThe authorities say that the shooting only lasted a few minutes. "The shooting appears to have stopped," the police dispatcher radioed at 09:38, according to the New York Post. "There is silence at this time. The school is in lockdown."
The AftermathAn upset woman talking to a police officer near Sandy Hook school The shooting has shocked the town of 27,000
Police went from room to room removing surviving children and staff from classrooms, says AP. They were taken to Sandy Hook fire station, where worried parents began to gather. Two children who were shot were taken to hospital, where they later died. The governor of Connecticut, Dannel Malloy, went to the fire station. He said: "Evil visited this community today and it's too early to speak of recovery, but each parent, each sibling, each member of the family has to understand that Connecticut - we're all in this together. We'll do whatever we can to overcome this event".
The suspectThe police found the body of Lanza, who appears to have killed himself after going on a shooting spree in two classrooms. More details about Lanza have begun to emerge, but there is still no clear motive for the rampage. AP reported that during the shooting, Lanza didn't utter a single word.
Media confusionInitial reports about a shooting at the school identified Ryan Lanza, Adam Lanza's older brother, as the gunman after he was mistakenly identified by a police official. Ryan Lanza apparently posted Facebook updates on Friday afternoon that read, "It wasn't me" and "I was at work".
Presidential addressIn an emotional speech, President Barack Obama addressed the nation, saying: "Our hearts are broken today, for the parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers of these children, and for the families of the adults who were lost." He called for "meaningful action" against gun crime.
Town vigilOn Friday night, hundreds of people from the close-knit town packed St. Rose of Lima church and stood outside in a vigil for the 28 dead. People held hands, lit candles and sang "Silent Night". AP reported the church's monsignor, Robert Weiss, as saying: "These 20 children lit up this community better than all these Christmas lights we have... There are a lot brighter stars up there tonight because of these kids".
Source :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
