E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSSandy Hook Elementary principal Dawn Hochsprung died in the attack after reportedly running toward the gunfire to protect her students. TODAY's Erica Hill reports, and Savannah Guthrie talks with two men who knew her.
As witnesses recount the horrific crime at Sandy Hook Elementary, one constant is emerging: Even more children would have been killed had it not been for the actions of teachers, a custodian and even the students themselves.
"A lot of children are alive today because of actions the teachers took," School Superintendent Janet Robinson told NBC's TODAY show on Saturday, a day after a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at the K-4th grade school in Newtown, Conn.
Principal Dawn Hochsprung and school psychologist Mary Sherlach, both among those killed, were said to have run toward the gunfire as it broke out, with Hochsprung lunging at the gunman, according to town officials.
Hochsprung was coming out of a meeting when she confronted the shooter, Board of Education chairwoman Debbie Liedlien said Saturday.
Jeff Capeci, chairman of Newtown's Legislative Council, said Hochsprung's actions were nothing short of heroic. "From what we know, it's hard to classify her as anything else," he added.
Mary Ann Jacob, a school library aide, told reporters Saturday that she was with 18 fourth-graders when she heard "popping sounds" and realized shots had been fired.
"I shouted 'Lockdown!' and I ran across the hall and told the other class," Jacob said.
She then discovered that her classroom door would not lock. After blocking the door from the inside with a filing cabinet, Jacob and the rest of the library staff guided the children in a group-crawl to a closet in the back.
"The kids cozied up, and we waited," Jacob said, adding that the children were told it was a drill. "We settled them down with paper and crayons."
"When the police finally came, we were afraid to open the door," she said of the hour-long ordeal. The staff only did when police slipped a badge under the door.
Robert MacPherson / AFP - Getty Images
Sandy Hook Elementary School library clerk Mary Ann Jacob speaks to the press in Newtown, Conn., on Saturday.
Music teacher Maryrose Kristopik also took her students to a classroom closet.
"We stayed quiet, we held hands, we hugged," Kristopik told the New York Daily News. "I tried to talk to them calmly."
First-grade teacher Vicki Leigh Soto, 27, lost her life as she "huddled with her children," her cousin Jim Wiltsie told the Wall Street Journal.
She had tried to hide them in a closet, he added, and "in doing so, she put herself between the kids and the gunman's bullets ... She was a hero for what she did."
Wiltsie did not know if her students were among the dead.
Another unidentified teacher grabbed 8-year-old Bear Nikitchyuk from a hallway and into a classroom as bullets whizzed by, NBCNewYork.com reported.
"I was going back to my classroom, then I heard something like kicking on a door, then I turned around and I saw smoke and I smelled smoke," Bear said. "Then bullets whizzed by."
A custodian warned of the gunman by running through the halls, said 4th-grade teacher Theodore Varga.
"He said, 'Guys! Get down! Hide!'" Varga said. "So he was actually a hero."
Related: Principal had 'talked about this exact type of incident'
Even some students were able to muster up courage as shots were fired around them.
One student claimed to know karate, The Associated Press reported. "It's OK. I'll lead the way out," the student said.
School Superintendent Janet Robinson talks about the heroism of teachers and says the shooter's mother was not a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook.
A parent said his 6-year-old son was in class when the gunman burst in and shot the teacher.
"That's when my son grabbed a bunch of his friends and ran out the door," Robert Licata said. "He was very brave. He waited for his friends."
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related content from NBCNews.com:
- Elementary school massacre: 28 killed, including 20 kids
- Quiet town wonders, 'How can we be protected'?
- Vigils, services honor school shooting victims
- Video: 'Our hearts are broken,' Obama says
- Gunman's mother owned weapons used in massacre
- 'Screams were coming over the intercom'
- Traumatized nation reels from 'day of sadness and grief'
- Video: School shooting reignites gun control debate
- How to talk to kids about the school shooting
- Massacre leaves America shocked and grieving ... again
- Connecticut school shooting is second worst in US history
- Authorities ID gunman who killed 27 in elementary school massacre
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
JR: That is exactly what I said to a local post on this subject. Instead of having all our military in foreign lands, bring them most, if not all, home and offer jobs at the schools, as you said. In another vein, I'm not against someone wanting a gun for protection, but do you need automatic handguns and assault rifles? I think not. Also why did the mother have so many guns in her home (even if they were legally bought and registered). And if the shooter had a "personality disorder" as reported by his brother, why did she have them where he could get to them. Forgive me for saying this, but his mother was wrong about that. Also, may God have mercy on the families. The children are already resting in his arms.
It was very heroic that Principal Dawn Hochsprung died while lunging at the gunman. You would think that the State would at least give her a gun so that she didn't have to fight with her bare hands.
What an asinine comment, typical of the blind, deaf and mute right wing gun nuts who have allowed this country to be awashed with weapons that bring us these tragedies.
Congratulations, moron.
FYI: America wasn't invaded during the 2nd world war, because we morons provided our country with the first line of defense. Liberal's are the ignorant ones. The typical knee jerk reaction from any Liberal is to violate the Constitution...
30,000 people per year die from drunk drivers! Should we take everyones car away too?
Aren't these the same lazy-ass union teachers you holier-than-thou right wing hypocrites are always excoriating??
God bless these heroes. I wish nothing but hemorrhoids on the NRA types.
The NRA is hosting another party tonight celebrating freedom, 7PM, free drinks, bring your AK47 to look real macho.
Schools, Theaters, Malls and any other area where large amounts of people meet should be protected in the U.S... The Clackamas Town Center attack occured on a day that 10,000 people were in the Mall. The gunmans stolen gun jammed and the people in the food court had time to get away. Two people died, but the gunman was able to get off 60 rounds...
The Sandy Hook Elementary shooter had mental problems and took his mother's assault gun and killed 28 people. These two attacks were commited by people who used guns they either stole or took... A simple gun safe could have prevented the entire thing... If you own a gun, lock it up!
Also, it should go without saying, if your son is mentally ill, lock up your weapons... The Teacher from Sandy Hook could have prevented her death, her husbands death, and the deaths of 26 others with a gun safe...
I have to say that Obama said it best, "Our hearts are broken." They definitely are. There is no other way to describe this.
These incidents are not as much news as is made of them. The difference is the more rapid communication of the incidents. Yes; having guns not locked up around an autistic youngster who is used to very violent movies, television, electronic games, etc. might be a factor. Lots of youngsters are confused about life and death, and think about death as only a game. Parents are needed to direct youths! This "family" seems to lack togetherness.
More psychiatric care, more police protection, gun control, self arming to protect ones self; have all been suggested as prevention measures against terrible acts of violence. But, the simplest solution is that we should all be nicer and kinder to each other in our everyday lives. Family, friends and strangers alike. If we all made an effort to do this, we could make a positive change in our character as living beings.
this is more than about gun control. it is a multifaceted problem within this society. Our kids are faced with violence every day in the home, on tv, video games etc. they become numb to it and think its a game. problems in the home, ininvolved communities and schools add to this burden. No one ever sees it coming and everybody always says"he was a quiet person, always stayed to himself." Often times teens are crying out for help and are ignored. we as a society are just too busy. One can scream gun control all you want but the crazies and those hell bent will get a gun. the problem needs to be addressed at the core of society. we need to learn to listen and provide appropriate treatment when the need arises.
GOP crowd: Rape does not result in pregnancy.
GOP crowd: Guns don't kill.
Brilliant minds!
Liberal Crowd- Rapists didn't mean to do it, give them another chance...
Liberal Crowd- Take gun rights away from everyone in America, then the only people with guns will be criminals!!!
Liberal Crowd- Drunk Driver's kill people. Solution: Take everyones car away!
Idiots!
Guns don't kill bullets do.
We should give up our arms melt them and construct a monument
using the melted iron to the victims of all of these massacres country
wide. We are the country with the
highest death for massacres committed by common citizens & most of them
with no apparent reason. Most
revolutions against tyrants were done, without guns, just pacific manifestation
like in India following Gandhi advice and in Argentina after the desaparecidos.
You do not need guns defend from tyranny.
Condolences and sincere prayers to all the victims’
families, relatives, friends, school staff, employees, students as well as neighbors,
community and state of Connecticut after this awful tragedy.
These people adults and children alike did their best and did what had to be done and for that are to be commended. God bless them all.
Now if only our politicians would do what must be done, but, sadly, they have been bought off by the gun lobbyists.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers for the families of the victims and for the staff and students and for all of Newtown.
On the same day a 36 year old man was arrrested in China as he waited at the gate of elementary school and attacked kids with a knife. A total of 22 kids were injured. but none died. What is the difference?
I see both sides of the coin on this gun thing. Although I hate guns and believe we are better off without them and also believe that those people that manage to build a small home arsenal are freaking idiots that are pyscho themselves.
I dont want anyone to not be able to have some sort of protection. However these semi-automatics should not be available to the average joe. This scum managed to rip off over a 100 rounds. WHY WHY WHY do any of you need the ability to have a firearm that can be that destructive? It's not right to have the general public be able to so easily get ahold of crap like this. People are not repsonsible enough to handle something like a gun correctly...you might be but the vast majority are incompetant.
Further, I refuse to believe having these teachers be armed is a solution. In fact, it's brain-dead and idiotic. Im a nursing student....I have paitents in my care...does this mean I should now start "packing heat" while im in clinical. If you say yes well I say "piss off" I am not carrying a flipping gun at the job site and also have my co-workers doing the same. That's disaster waiting to happen. Same with the teachers, students wouldn't have to bring the guns to school to shoot the place up since they are already there and loaded.
If I here one more NRA nut scream for more guns im gonna rip my hair out.
Why cant there be a consumer model that only can carry limited rounds. You can still protect yourself but not cause mass destruction.
Can we turn our blaming from guns for a moment and admit the REAL probelm?? SOCIETY!! YES That's right YOU are the problem, ALL OF US are the problem!!!! Guns only carry out the wishes of someone. If it wasnt a gun then it would be a knife or a hatchet etc... What has happened to society in the last 20 years to cause this?? THAT's what we need to be looking at!!! I can remember growing up with violent cartoons and learning how to shoot at 4H camp!!! How bout the kids in the 50's? they grew up with westerns and cap guns for crying out loud!!! Have you noticed most of these crimes are done by people in their 20's??? They target children because children are defenseless!! It is being caused by SOCIETY making excuses for people!! We dont hold anyone responsible for their own actions anymore. Personal responsiblity used to be a norm, now we say .. you're not responsible enough so we will regulate everything for you and make excuses about your horrid childhood. Stop blaming Guns, cars, knives etc... LOOK TO OURSELVES!!!!!
After 911 we secured our airports! We have M16's at all airports, swat teams at al large metro airports... Pilots on all commercial flights carry weapons... There are Air Marshal's on commercial flights...
These big jets carry 200 people, but big schools teach 3,500 students, yet they have no security... When is America gonna get smart and realize our kids, malls and theater's need protection... It won't stop every madman, but it will stop a lot!
I agree..anybody with ill-intent can just walk into many places like you mentioned. If the public is going to be allowed to continue to be armed then beef up security everywhere!
We should give up our arms melt them and construct a monument
using the melted iron to the victims of all of these massacres country
wide. We are the country with the
highest death for massacres committed by common citizens & most of them
with no apparent reason. Most
revolutions against tyrants were done, without guns, just pacific manifestation
like in India following Gandhi advice and in Argentina after the desaparecidos.
We do not need guns to defend ourself from tyranny.
We should give up our arms melt them and construct a monument
using the melted iron to the victims of all of these massacres country
wide. We are the country with the
highest death for massacres committed by common citizens & most of them
with no apparent reason. Most
revolutions against tyrants were done, without guns, just pacific manifestation
like in India following Gandhi advice and in Argentina after the desaparecidos.
We do not need guns to defend ourself from tyranny.
At this point, I hope the Mayans are correct.
Questions I’d like the media to ask the Police
After the first 9/11 call came into dispatch, how long did
it take before the first unit arrived?
Who were the first responding officers on the scene at what
time did they arrive and what did they do first?
How long did the shooting go on, estimated time?
Why didn’t the heavily armed special unit’s team storm the area
where the shooting was to reportedly coming from?
What I consider to be troubling is law enforcements response
to the scenes, take columbine all the time it took before the police went in.
It seems as though, law enforcement should be entering the area where the
shooting is taking place ASAP, all that BS time cordoning off the area, shuttling
people out of harm’s way while others may still be getting shot or killed doesn’t
make scenes. A rapid response is needed. All those images of the heavily armed
police outside while people are frantically running away is disturbing.
"When the police finally came, we were afraid to open the door," she said of the hour-long ordeal.
AN HOUR WTH? How long did the incident last? I'm sorry folks but this is very sad in of itself
Maybe you should do a little research. Since Columbine, the protocols have been changed. The first responders entered immediately, which probably is what triggered the shooter's suicide. They then went through the building, room by room, closet by closet, checking for additional shooters. That is the protocol now in use all over the country. This has been in the news almost from the moment of the shooting. It takes a fair amount of time to check out every possible hiding place in a school with multiple classrooms. You really wouldn't want to miss a second shooter.
underemployed,
When did the first unit arrive? How long did the shooting go on, the police need to storm the area where the shooting is taking place, you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to know where to go
Tragic. I wonder, maybe a solution is to train the teachers with the use of fire arms and provide them with one. Hmm, but what its going to happens if the teachers get crazy? Or maybe provide everybody with vests? Oh I get it, lets eliminate the firearms instead.
we need to go back to honoring the 2nd ammendment carry guns without infringment . it is my right to carry a gun no matter where i and under am. the government is wrong and i would love it if we could get our rights back.This is not america anymore. and it is only getting worse. but there is a silver lining the rapture may be sooner than we think amen
I hope for our sake when the "rapture" come it takes you first! This is ALWAYS America, you are sooo wrong...and you don't need a gun to be an American.
I agree. 300 million guns currently floating around America aren't enough. We need to double that number.............................
Im about to really offend you so brace yourself.
You are out of your god-freaking mind if you think MORE guns are an answer. You may feel safe with it but the cold-hard fact is that if someone is gonna come at you and you appear to be pulling a gun then they already have the upper hand and they shoot you to protect themselves.
Im sitting here at my computer right now..if someone bursts in with a gun pointed at me then that gun in my nightstand is pointless. I might feel all warm and fuzzy with owning it but if someone is coming at me with it pointed in my face then pulling my own will only get me killed on the spot.
Also, keep the religion stuff outta this. I dont believe in it and trust me more people have been killed in the name of "god" then anything else.
If you want guns in society then the scumbags will get them and you will lose...plain and simple. Im not trying to take that gun away from you but lets live in reality here people.
America does have a lot of guns! It is why we were not invaded by the Japanese during the second world war...
The overly dramatic Liberal's typical knee jerk reaction, "Get rid of gun rights!" Then the only people with guns will be Criminals!!!!!!
We must curb gun access. I mean no offense here, but what does a school principal need with guns? I grew up with guns and hunting in the 1960's, but I don't have them on my property now because I have children and tenants living with and near me. I think I am safer without guns in today's society. The times have changed, and they will change again.
There should be law enforcement present at every school now. New York City and many other cities have a cop on campus at every school. If we would consider having security at a bank, we should certainly have it at a school.
Its so simple yet brilliant
What if the security is or goes nuts.
Cops at every school? Who's going to pay for that? Taxpayers today don't even want to pay for books and teachers, what makes you think they'll pay for cops? Taxpayers today want all the services to be provided for free, and if you try to make them pay for something they scream bloody murder.
I would gladly give up my right to bear arms if it would prevent this. The problem is it won't. As a society we must take ownership of the responsibility to secure these legally purchased firearms. As the article states, he was denied purchase of firearms, but Mom didn't have these arms secured. That proves we have laws currently on the books that do their job. We need to enforce laws already in place as well as FOLLOW through with severe punishment for gun related crimes, in other words, if you use a firearm to murder someone, you should receive the death penalty, no long media circus, no life without parole that law abiding Americans have to pay for. It is a fact that our justice system is ineffective, and our prisons are actually school for criminals. If the penalty was as terrible as the crime, it may be a deterrent. Media also plays a dirty little role. The air time given to these horrendous crimes is insane. When was the last time air time was given to the really good things that happen in this country. How about the girl that kills her kid, disappears after the verdict and will probably resurface to a million dollar book or tv special. It runs on air until the shock value fades or it stops selling air time. It's disgusting. I pray for these families and the innocent children who lost their lives and the surviving children who have been thrust into the world too soon