LIVE BLOG: Conn. School Shooting Updates
An investigation continues into a school massacre that happened Friday morning at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.
A gunman opened fire inside the school, killing 20 children and 6 adults.
Police say the shooter is 20-year-old Adam Lanza. They say he committed suicide after the shootings.
*For additional coverage on the Connecticut school shooting, click here
You can also follow along in our live blog, below:
Elementary school teachers become heroes. Click to read how some laid down their lives for students.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/17/conn-teachers-were-heroes-in-the-face-of-death/
Investigators are searching smashed computer parts for clues that might shed light on the Connecticut school shooting, including e-mails gunman Adam Lanza might have sent and websites he might have visited, a law enforcement official said Monday. The official did not know how many computers were seized from the home where Lanza lived, but thinks there was more than one. A second law enforcement official said investigators had removed computers from the house, but would not comment on their condition.
“Gun violence such as the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting is a “complex problem,” and “no single piece of legislation, no single action will fully address” it, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday.
Police press conference has ended.
Police: this is not something that’s done in 60 minutes.
Police: (investigation) is going to take a substantial amount of time.
Police say they will hold a press conference if needed in the future.
Police: this is going to be our last briefing today.
Police: nearby schools in lockdown because of a threat (earlier today). But, that has been cleared.
Police: there was no connection between the shooter and the school.
Police: we’re going to do everything that it takes to ensure that we examine every facet, conduct all interviews to paint a clear picture of how this tragedy happened.
Police: we’re looking at everything to do with all the weapons.
Police: IF there is computer evidence, our computer experts will take care of that.
Police will not discuss what that evidence is.
Police: we did seize significant evidence at the residence (suspect’s residence).
Police: (talking about threats of violence today about church) Those are criminal acts. Those are being thoroughly investigated.
Police: families planning funeral services.. I’m pleading.. families have asked for privacy as they go through this terrible tragedy.
Police: we are still guarding both crime scenes.
Police press conference update is beginning.
Press conference has ended.
Police: our next briefing will be around noon today. We’re going to start scaling back on briefings.
Police: (authorities) saved many human lives. It breaks our hearts we couldn’t save them all.
Police: I can tell you that faculty and staff did everything they could to protect those children.
Police: each family has a law enforcement escort. They will shed light on the tragic investigation.
Police: we’re holding that school (Sandy Hook) as a crime scene. I’m expecting that’ll be months.
Police: I’m not aware of surveillance video from inside the school.
Police: there are 2 adults that were injured that suffered gunshot wounds and they are recovering.
Police: I can’t discuss the evidence.
Police: we’re checking weaponry and databases are also being searched. If anyone had contact with the suspect, we want to talk to them.
Police: as we’ve said before, suspect forced his way into the school. I simply don’t want to go any further than that.
Police: (speaking of school shooting again) We will cover every facet of this investigation.
Police: a report of a suspicious person.. we’re not sure what is happening in Richfield. (town near Newtown) Schools are safe there.
Police: anyone who attempts to threaten or mislead this investigation, will be prosecuted.
Police: we have begun analyzing the evidence. Each singular round of the weaponry will be analyzed. We can not say exactly what that evidence is at this time.
Police: we’re continuing to interview witnesses. Many, many of them need interviewed. We are holding both crime scenes indefinitely.
Police: families still asking for privacy during this time
students at Sandy Hook will be excused from school until further notice
Police: healing is still going on. We’re trying to resume what normalcy we can. All faculty is meeting to plan how to address the needs of the students in this tragedy. No school today.
Press conference beginning now.
An update on Friday’s school shooting is expected shortly. Police will update everyone at a press conference in Newtown, Connecticut.
Funerals for two young victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy will be held today.
Read more: http://fox8.com/2012/12/17/funerals-begin-for-connecticut-children/
(CNN) — Police in Bristol, Connecticut, arrested a juvenile Sunday for allegedly making a threat toward Bristol Central High School, about 30 miles northwest of Newtown. Bristol police Lt. Jack Michaud said no one was in any danger.
Confirmation is given that President Obama has safely left and the prayer vigil ends. Attendees are encouraged to continue to comfort each other and pray with the clergy.
“God, we thank you for this town. We thank you for its people. And we thank you for this opportunity to stand together and not to fall apart,” Rev. Robert Weiss prays.
Rev. Robert Weiss calls for applause for First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra who has led the town through the “darkest days.”
“May He bless and watch over this community and the United States of America,” President Obama concludes.
President Obama reads the first names of the victims and says, “God has called them all home.”
“We can’t tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex and that is true. No single law, no set of laws can prevent evil from the world … but that can’t be an excuse for inaction. Surely we can do better than this,” President Obama said.
“This is our first task. Caring for our children. It’s our first job. If we don’t get that right we don’t get anything right. That’s how, as a society, we will be judged,” President Obama said.
“Newtown, you have inspired us. You’ve looked out for each other, you’ve cared for one another and you’ve loved one another. This is how Newtown will be remembered. And with time and God’s grace, that love will see you through,” President Obama said at the interfaith prayer vigil.
President Obama notes how teachers comforted their students, telling them, “Wait for the good guys, they’re coming. Show me your smile.” He added, “And we know that good guys came.”
President Obama: Our world, too, has been torn about. All across this land of ours we have wept with you. We’ve pulled our children tight. And you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide.
President Obama: Here in Newtown I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation.
Gov. Malloy introduces President Barack Obama. They embrace on stage.
Malloy: We will go on, we will find strength, faith is a gift.
Malloy: In the coming days we will officially enter winter, and that is always to be followed by the spring. Let me assure you that each time in winter I see the beginning of a snowfall I will think of those 27 souls lost just a few days ago.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy begins speaking.
President Barack Obama takes his seat in the audience and the prayer service begins.
First responders arrived. They were greeting with a standing ovation.
Candles representing the victims are positioned in the middle of the stage.
Soft music plays as attendees wait for the vigil to begin.
President Barack Obama is in Newtown where he will speak at an interfaith prayer vigil. The event was expected to begin around 7 p.m.
We’re learning more about the victims of Friday’s school shooting.
Click to read about their lives: http://fox8.com/2012/12/15/conn-school-shooting-victims-names-released/
The news conference has ended. Return to this live blog for updates or click the link for extended coverage:
A great deal of evidence was seized, Vance said. He would not provide specifics about the evidence.
Vance: “We are pleased with the progress we are making.”
Significant security will be in place for the president’s visit, Vance says.
Vance stresses anyone using social media to threaten or harass will be fully investigated.
Police: Lanza had multiple magazines and additional ammunition for his weapons. The history of the weapons will be investigated.
Lt. J. Paul Vance: Adam Lanza’s body positively identified. His death was ruled a suicide.
The afternoon news update has begun.
CNN: There were about 500 people inside the church when authorities evacuated it, said Brian Wallace, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport. Officials have canceled Sunday night activities at the church, he said.
The church was given the ‘all clear’ after a threat.
A church near Sandy Hook Elementary School has been evacuated.
Read more here: http://fox8.com/2012/12/16/church-near-conn-school-shooting-evacuated/
Sunday morning news conference ends. Information from the medical examiner’s office and about the president’s visit is expected later.
Continue to monitor this live blog for updates or click the link for extended coverage:
We have to complete the investigation before the motive can be determined, Vance says.
We’re moving as quickly and efficiently as we can, but there are many more witnesses to speak to, Vance says.
Police: Too early to say if classes will resume in the rooms the shootings occurred.
Vance says people have been posing as the shooter on Facebook. Others have been spreading misinformation via social media.
“We have the best of the best working on this case,” Vance says at the press conference. “We’re using every single resource.”
Vance says establishing a timeline for the investigation would be “inappropriate.”
Vance warns about social media crimes related to the shooting.
Lt. J. Paul Vance with the Conn. State Police says the vehicles outside of the school are being investigated and some of them have been released to their owners.
The suspect ‘shot’ his way into the school, Conn. Governor Dan Malloy says.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/16/conn-school-shooting-latest-developments/
Connecticut’s governor calls for stricter gun legislation at the federal level.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/16/connecticut-governor-wants-tougher-federal-laws/
Their heartbreaking and show what unfolded in Newtown, Connecticut since the school shooting.
Click the link to view pictures from the scene, see those remembered and how the community is bonding together.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/14/pictures-connecticut-school-shooting/
A candlelight vigil was held in Stratford, Connecticut Saturday, December 15, 2012 for Victoria Soto, a teacher who was killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown. She is among the 26 victims who lost their lives.
President Obama will be meeting with the families of the victims in the Connecticut School shooting later today.
Click the link for the latest on the investigation http://fox8.com/2012/12/16/conn-school-shooting-latest-developments/
As the school shooting victims are being remembered and mourned, some media outlets are reporting that the bodies of the 26 victims were returned to their families Saturday, 24 hours after the murders.
Read the latest: http://fox8.com/2012/12/15/conn-school-shooters-family-releases-statement/
The power of prayer: Clevelanders sending thoughts and prayers to Connecticut Saturday night.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/15/local-congregation-prays-for-peace-in-connecticut/
Peter Lanza, father of the alleged Connecticut school shooting gunman, released a statement Saturday expressing condolences to the families of victims. “Our family is grieving along with all those who have been affected by this enormous tragedy. No words can truly express how heartbroken we are. We are in a state of disbelief and trying to find whatever answers we can,” said the statement, which was obtained by CNN affiliate WFSB.
President Obama is expected to travel to Newtown, CT tomorrow to meet with the families of those were lost and thank first responders.
Images from the community of Newtown, Connecticut near Sandy Hook Elementary 
6-year-old Emilie Parker spends quality time with her family, including her dad and two sisters. Emilie was one of the victim’s killed during the school shooting in Connecticut
Earlier reports that Connecticut school shooter Adam Lanza had an altercation with four adults at the school on Thursday have been investigated and are not accurate, according to a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation. Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police noted in a news conference Saturday that he knew of no reports about Vance being involved in any altercations at the school.
Statement just-released from suspect’s family:
Relatives of the Connecticut school gunman share the nation’s grief and struggles “to comprehend the tremendous loss that we all share,” according to a statement from James Champion, a police officer and an uncle to alleged gunman Adam Lanza. Champion is also the brother to Nancy Lanza, the gunman’s mother. “On behalf of Nancy’s mother and siblings, we reach out to the community of Newtown and express our heartfelt sorrow for the loss of innocence that has affected so many,” the statement said, which was read by Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Sheriff Michael Downing.
Someone who knows the Lanza family says the suspect’s mom would take her sons target shooting.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/15/suspects-family-mom-would-take-sons-target-shooting/
Robbie Parker, father of shooting victim Emilie Parker: You can never stop being the best parent you can be. You can always be more patient and more loving and accept your children for who they are. And I hope that if anybody looks back on my life, they can say that I was a great dad, because my children love me.
Q: What can the community do to get past this tragedy?
Victim’s father: Help other people.
Father says he also has a 3-year-old and 4-year-old.
“I don’t know how to get through something like this. My wife and I don’t know how to process this. We find strength in our religion and in our faith and in our family,” father of 6-year-old shooting victim says.
Father of 6-year-old shooting victim faces the cameras to talk about his daughter’s smile and how blessed he was to be her dad.
The names and ages of the shooting victims have been released.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/15/conn-school-shooting-victims-names-released/
Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy said in a live address now is a time for love, courage and compassion.
CNN: All of the children killed during the Connecticut school massacre were either 6 or 7 years old, according to information released by state police. There were 12 girl victims; eight boys. All of the adults killed were women.
Vance says there won’t be additional news briefings until Sunday.
Vance emphasizes this is still an active case and that law enforcement officials are still pursuing leads.
Lt. J. Paul Vance asks for privacy for the families.
“They were wearing kids’ stuff,” Carver said, responding to questions about the victims’ clothing.
Carver: I believe everybody was hit more than once.
“This is a very devastating set of injuries,” Carver said.
The Connecticut chief medical examiner, H. Wayne Carver II, says he did seven of the autopsies.
The manner of death for all of the victims is homicide.
Lt. Vance has a list of names of the victims and dates of birth that will be distributed.
Another news conference has begun.
According to friends and family members, Victoria Soto and Lauren Rousseau, both teachers at the school, were identified as victims of the massacre, CNN reported.
CNN: Investigators believe that Adam Lanza, the Connecticut school massacre shooter, attempted to buy a gun at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Danbury on Tuesday — but was unsuccessful, a law enforcement source said. Employees at the store — about 12 miles from Sandy Hook Elementary — have been interviewed and have searched the store’s surveillance cameras for evidence that Adam Lanza had been there.
Connecticut school shooter was involved in an altercation with four adults at the school on Thursday … three of them were killed on Friday, CNN reported.
Law enforcement sources now say contrary to earlier reports, the shooter’s mother was not a teacher at the school.
A local bishop will hold a service for the Connecticut school shooting victims that will include the symbolic lighting of candles.
Get more details here: http://fox8.com/2012/12/15/local-service-to-honor-connecticut-victims/
Investigators have been told that Connecticut school shooter Adam Lanza had some sort of altercation with some people at the school a few days before the killings, according to a law enforcement official, CNN reported. The official did not know the nature of the altercation or who was involved.
CNN: Adam Lanza, the Connecticut school massacre shooter, tried to buy a gun in the area Tuesday before the shooting, a law enforcement source said. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it is contacting shooting ranges and gun stores in the area to try to establish whether Lanza sought to purchase guns or practice using them.
CNN: The gunman in the Connecticut school shooting had access to more guns than the three found at the elementary school, a law enforcement source said Saturday. Police recovered three additional guns elsewhere. They are a .45-caliber Henry repeating rifle, a .22-caliber Marlin rifle, and a .30-caliber Enfield rifle, the source said.
The news conference ended. Another is expected in about an hour. Until then, check for updates here: http://fox8.com/tag/connecticut-school-shooting/
Vance: After the shooting a thorough search was done of the neighborhood. Anyone who was even “cutting wood” in the woods will be questioned.
Vance: The gunman forced his way into the school, other specifics not available.
Vance: “We’re hopeful the evidence will paint a complete picture of how this whole unfortunate incident occurred.”
Vance: Secondary crime scene was a private residence.
Lt. Paul Vance with the Conn. State Police fields questions, but will not talk about evidence.
Vance: Investigators will look into the history of the weapons.
Vance: The outside of the school building is considered part of the crime scene.
Vance: Families of victims have asked for privacy.
Lt. Paul Vance with the Conn. State Police begins Saturday morning news conference.
The news conference has been delayed. The minute it starts, we will bring it to you live right here. http://fox8.com/2012/12/14/live-video-blog-conn-school-shooting-press-conference/
From CNN’s Susan Candiotti: The suspect in the Connecticut school shooting may have had access to at least five guns, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation said Saturday. Three weapons were recovered from the school on Friday: a semi-automatic .223 caliber rifle made by Bushmaster found in a car in the school parking lot, and two pistols made by Glock and a Sig Sauer found with suspected gunman Adam Lanza’s body, a law enforcement source said previously.
A news conference updating the deadly school shooting in Connecticut is about to begin. Click the video above to listen in or follow along in our live blog below.
Some media outlets are reporting that the suspected school shooter, Adam Lanza, was carrying his brother Ryan’s ID, and that’s what caused some confusion earlier Friday.
A national school security expert, based right here in Cleveland, talks about preventing another tragedy like Friday’s school shooting in Connecticut.
The Chardon community, who dealt with a horrific school shooting 10 months ago, sends their prayers and support hundreds of miles away to Newton, Connecticut. People gathered for a vigil Friday night.
The bodies of the young victims remained where they fell Friday night, as authorities worked to positively identify them.
People who knew the suspected school shooting gunman describe him as “nice” and a “genius.”
From the nation’s capitol to the city at the center of the school shooting, hundreds are gathering for candlelight vigils and special masses to remember the 20 children and 6 adults killed in Friday’s shooting.
Authorities are “cautiously optimistic” they will have positive identifications on the victims of Connecticut’s elementary school shooting by Saturday, according to Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police. He addressed the condition of the one injured victim, saying she was an employee of the school and that she was “doing well.”
Vigil being held right now in Connecticut to remember the victims of Friday’s school shooting.
The three weapons found at the scene of Friday’s Connecticut elementary school shooting were legally purchased by the suspected gunman’s mother, Nancy Lanza, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told CNN.
Sources: gunman’s older brother, Ryan Lanza, has been questioned by police.
Update from CNN: Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, killed in Friday’s shooting at her Connecticut elementary school, recently installed a new security system to ensure student safety.
In a letter this fall to parents at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Hochsprung said that every visitor would be required to ring the doorbell at the front entrance after the doors locked at 9:30 a.m.
http://fox8.com/2012/12/14/conn-principal-had-just-updated-security-measures/
Update: The suspect in Friday’s mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school was dressed in “black battle fatigues and a military vest,” a law enforcement source with detailed knowledge of the investigation told CNN.
Multiple reports now say the shooter is 20-year-old Adam Lanza.
Connecticut police have searched the suspected gunman’s home and place of employment in the wake of Friday’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, state police Lt. Paul Vance told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
President Obama has ordered the U.S. flags be flown at half-staff on public grounds through Tuesday.
Lt. Paul Vance: 26 total are dead; one person is injured. 20 of the victims are children.
Lt. Paul Vance: right now there is one shooter, but still investigating.
Lt. Paul Vance: the shootings did take place in two rooms- in one section of the school.
Lt. Paul Vance: there is a secondary crime scene
Lt. Paul Vance: this is an on-going investigation. There’s a great deal that still needs to be done at this school (talking about investigating)
Lt. Paul Vance: 18 children pronounced dead at the school. Two children taken to hospitals, who died. 6 adults dead.
Governor: the people of the state of Connecticut give our condolences. I want to thank the president, who has been on the phone with us.
Governor: beautiful children had their life taken away, the perpetrator is dead; as well as is an individual who he lived with.
Governor: remember all of the victims in your prayers.
Connecticut Governor: a tragedy of unspeakable terms. You can never be prepared for this type of incident.
President Obama: we are there for them. We will pray for them. May God bless the memory of the victims.
President Obama: this evening, Michelle and I will hug our children and remind them how much we love them. Those families in Connecticut need us now. I will do everything in my power as president to help them.
President Obama: these children are our children. We’re going to have to come together to prevent more tragedies like this.
President Obama: there are no words that will ease their pain.
President Obama: many of the children who died today had their entire lives ahead of them. Our hearts are broken today, for the parents, grandparents and the families of the adults who were lost.
President Obama: I react as a parent, and that was especially true today. I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the grief I do.
President Obama: we’ve endured too many of these tragedies.
President Obama expected to make a statement on the Connecticut school shooting around 3:15 p.m. ET
2:45 p.m.: At least 27 people were killed — including 18 children — as a result of Friday’s mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, a federal law enforcement source told CNN, citing information from FBI officials and others at the scene.
Source: suspected gunman, who is dead, had a connection to the school. The source is in touch with authorities on the scene.
Report: 2 p.m. (CNN)– Source now says “close to 30″ killed at Connecticut school
Report: 1:56 p.m. (CNN) — The suspected gunman in the Connecticut school shooting was 20 years old, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation said.
– From CNN’s Susan Candiotti
Report 1:45 p.m. (CNN) — A male is being questioned by investigators in connection to Friday’s shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN. However, he is not being called a suspect.
State police: Public is not in danger.
Gov. spokesperson: President Obama called governor, said he’d pledge resources to assist victims’ families.
State police: Scene is secure. Many agencies are investigating to answer questions.
State police: Several students and staff died. No information on victims. Shooter is deceased inside building.
State police Lt.: Main objective was to evacuate students.
State police: 911 call at 9:30 for an emergency at school. State police assisted local police. Officers entered school, began active shooter search.
Connecticut gov. spokesperson: Gov is horrified by what happened. He’s meeting with families right now.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said Monday that he supports stronger gun control laws. “Do I think Washington, D.C. needs to get its act together and enact stricter gun-control laws at the federal level? You bet I do,” he told reporters.