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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.
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I wonder how many people on here. The ones saying the children are the most precious things we have, are pro choice?
Has nothing to do with pro choice. The are already born children.
So the NRA automatically trots out it's hundreds of paid posters to fill these pages with self-righteous blather about how "Guns don't kill people, people kill people," the same kind of twisted logic which purports that tax breaks for the rich somehow creates jobs.
Well, guns may not kill people, but people WITH guns DO. Suggesting that Adam Lanza, had he no access to firearms, would have simply found another way to kill 27 human beings flies completely in the face of logic. Lanza used precisely the weapons with which he had grown accustomed, the firearms from his gun-loving mother's home.
It is laughable to suggest that in order to complete his 'mission,' this or any other mass murderer would somehow willingly and easily substitute knives or bombs for high-powered rifles and handguns. Killers use what they know, and Lanza knew guns. No easy access to guns for Lanza, and no 20 innocent children dead at Sandy Hook. End of discussion.
The NRA and its minions are scum...hiding their largely latent urges to destroy living things, or at the very least to profit from the latent urges of others, behind the veil of an archaic constitutional liberty.
The joke used to be about men and their trucks....the bigger the truck, the smaller the penis. Nowadays it's guns, for both men AND women.
Now let's see how long it takes the small-dicked NRA paid posters to respond....
These faculty were heroes.
The children were beautiful and innocent.
Honor them all.
Pray or meditate to whatever deity (or no deity) you wish.
Honor them and never forget.
If you want to honor them, find a way to stop the gun violence in this country. Find a way to get the guns out of the hands of lunatics and murderers. Don't forget these innocent babies who died so that the NRA could make some more money.
Honor them however you wish. Your opinion is yours while others have theirs.
Blaming the NRA and arguing over gun control will not change what just occurred.
It won't change the past, but it could change the future. We don't need to keep doing this.
the pointer is always pointing the other way
I hope all the jerks who bad-mouthed the women who's boyfriends died shielding them during the Aurora shooting take this fact to heart. Women are just as courageous as men when it comes to protecting the vulnerable.
In some ways more so, there's a reason woman have adopted the term Mother Bear.
Where are all the anti-teacher comments now? Been reading them for months on these article responses. What an under appreciated profession in terms of the job they are responsible for. Then on top of it they are in a position where every day in this crazy world where we shouldn't even be considering this as a possibility, they are willing to lay their own lives on the line for YOUR kids at their job. Your kids. Some of them potentially leaving their own children alone in this world by this act. How many of you would do that without a thought in your profession at your workplace? To save your customers or maybe your fellow employee? Think about that. True heroes. Anger and sorrow is the only way to truly describe my feelings from this weekend. Thoughts are with you Newtown, CT faculty, staff, students, parents, relatives and the global community. Can not imagine what those people affected must be feeling and how those families will be permanently affected when I have a hard time thinking about it without a single connection to the town.
What can we do today to avoid or at least minimized tragedies like these, in a way
that is simple and cost effective? What can be done to give a chance to the school staff to defend themselves, stop someone and if possible fight back a person with a gun inside a school full of
kids.
“Sometimes the best offense is a good defense”
Would it be possible to provide the schools with Ballistic Shields like the once used by the law enforcement
that will provide enough time to the school staff to face the gunner while protecting the kids? It could even divert the gunner (or waste his ammo) while teachers and kids have enough time to flee? The school staff could even use the shield to know the gunner down.
My heart goes to the families and hope that we as a nation can find a way to prevent horrific events like this from ever happening again.
On the contrary
However, the cost of living does not have tolerance for eth expense of high security common traditional security could have been, briefed regarding the previous day altercation with four staff members. Security observations of individuals entering campus, had he been observed entering campus (Damn he had bulletproof clothing on is that not suspicious).
He would have been the the only person in the car that right there is a sign
Carrying a assault rifle
Perimeter security
I seriously doubt that Adam Lanza blended in with the other parents and students he four staff should have posted warning notes of lanza’s interest in the elementary school
Perimeter security I believe has worked at the schools I have attended
Predators were also a large threat to campus security
Instead of looking only at guns, why not consider flak jackets and body armor? Anyone attempting to purchase a flak jacket or body armor should be required to provide evidence of need. Hunters and people seeking protection in their home would not need these items. Young people playing video games that feature all-out assaults with such equipment and become depraved enough to plan to go "commando" themselves should be stopped at the point of purchasing the equipment -- keep it tightly restricted.
I think it's a possibility that one of those adult's quick thinking in crisis may have saved hundreds of lives. I think someone made a crucial snap judgement in turning on the PA system or in the unlikelihood it had just been turned on before the shooter came through the door, making the decision to not turn it off. With the PA system on and a mad man dressed in black toting guns coming through the door or already in the door there would be the question if 600 1st through 4th graders would panic hearing whatever no good was about to come their way. The last thing you would want would be panicked kids spilling into the halls and into the line of fire. On the other hand, leaving it off or turning it off prevents teachers in rooms the furthest away from the scene from possibly not knowing there was a gunman on the loose should he have decided to just casually wonder the halls. Having the PA system on would be putting full confidence and faith in the teachers and staff to both know what is happening up front and at the same time keep those children calm no matter what is said or heard as the events unfolded. Filing cabinets blocking doors, 16 children crammed into a tiny bathroom, I don't think it was happenstance that the PA system was on. I think possibly that was a huge call by a smart person who knew and trusted the staff was smart and the children brave. If this was a conscious decision by someone at the PA system, knowing where those systems are located in school buildings, I fear no one will be able to thank them in person. Whether just a lucky moment or not it is a vital lesson on the use of a PA system in a crisis, especially one involving young unknowing children. Their actions will be teachable moments for generations. If there was any way as a nation we could take the pain off of Sandy Hook's staff, Newtown's resident's and all those who lost a loved one Friday in this tragedy I know we would do it whatever it was. What we can and must do is everything in our power to shield our nation and especially our children from crazed people and a nation's fascination with these cold steel death makers. Then when we're through with these Republicans gun extermination will be next on the agenda.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist typing that once it crossed my mind and made me chuckle. I needed a chuckle and per usual the GOP did it for me. (-:
First off - I cried along with the nation for the families affected by this horrible situation.
I did see a couple of things on Facebook that I thought rang true and wanted to share though....
#1) There was a picture of a "Letter to God" That read (paraphrasing here) "Dear God - Why do you allow such tragedy in our schools - From a concerned student" to which God replies "Dear Student - I'm not allowed in schools - God"
#2) There was another picture of the signs that are commonplace at most school entrances that say (again paraphrasing) "No weapons allowed" along with a picture of a knive and gun. This picture on Facebook also shows another sign that says "All personel in this school are trained to shoot to kill any person entering this property who attempts to harm one of our students" (paraphrasing again - sorry!) It shows a picture of a man holding a rifle. The Facebook asks the question "Which school would keep a madman out more effectively?"
#3) I don't care if you are "for" people having the right to own guns or not. My opinion on the subject is unimportant. I will however point out that had there been one person in that office who HAD a concealed weapon - there would be a GREAT chance that many (if not ALL) lives would have been spared (with the exception of the shooter). Because laws or no laws.....bad guys WILL FIND A WAY - to do BAD THINGS. Its up to the "Good Guys" to stop them. Laws on a piece of paper don't work. (Just check the facts on how well "restraining orders work!"
The most significant COMMON Denominator of all these tragic shootings ( Columbine School, San Diego School, Aurora Colorado Theatre, Ft Hood military base, Portland . . . ) is NOT the guns, but the fact that ALL these shooters were on PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS - - - Ritalin, Adderal, Prozac - - drugs with very dangerous side effects of more depression, suicidal tendencies . . .
These drugs + access to weapons = tragedy waiting to happen!
This is just another way that Big Pharma chooses to drug the planet and create chaos.
The families of these victims need to go after the medical professionals that hand out these drugs like candy and begin to make them responsible.
Liar Liar pants on fire.
None of them were on drugs to treat mental illness. Most werent even diagnosed with a mental illness prior to the crimes they committed.
Take your anti pharma conspiracy CRAP and shove it where the sun doesnt shine.
If I read that "God in Schools" one more time. Look it has been for DECADES, that children in Public Schools said the Pledge and then had a moment of silence. Nothing MORE!!!
If you want your particular religion taught to your child, then do what my parents did and send your child (in their case 7) to a religious school (catholic in our case). You have a MULTITUDE of children of different religious backgrounds who's parents all support the school system through taxes, local, sales, and home. So who's religion gets taught?
Please stop and think before you post things like this. I know it might make you feel better, but for those parents that might, just might have been something other than "Christian" tone it down.
California Penal Code section 627-627.10
Sec. 53a-185. Loitering on school grounds: Class C misdemeanor. (a) A person is guilty of loitering on school grounds when he loiters or remains in or about a school building or grounds, not having any reason or relationship involving custody of or responsibility for a pupil or any other license or privilege to be there. (b) Loitering on school grounds is a class C misdemeanor. (1969, P.A. 828, S. 187; P.A. 92-260, S. 71.) History: P.A. 92-260 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change in the name of the offense.Connecticut Statutes
Title 53A. PENAL CODE
Chapter 952. PENAL CODE: OFFENSES
Current through the 2010 Regular and Special Legislative Sessions
§ 53a-107. Criminal trespass in the first degree: Class A misdemeanor
(a) A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the first degree when: (1) Knowing that such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person enters or remains in a building or any other premises after an order to leave or not to enter personally communicated to such person by the owner of the premises or other authorized person; or (2) such person enters or remains in a building or any other premises in violation of a restraining order issued pursuant to section 46b-15 or a protective order issued pursuant to section 46b-38c, 54-1k or 54-82r by the Superior Court; or (3) such person enters or remains in a building or any other premises in violation of a foreign order of protection, as defined in section 46b-15a, that has been issued against such person in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person; or (4) knowing that such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person enters or remains on public land after an order to leave or not to enter personally communicated to such person by an authorized official of the state or a municipality, as the case may be.
(b) Criminal trespass in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Source:
There altercation on the previous day leads to question just exactly were the fail was?
1. did a good vision of the altercation prevent the filing of charges (at the point of confirmation the police could have been called to determine the characteristics of Adam Visiting the School)
2. was the penal code written in a frivolousness manner to the complaint
3. why was there not attention brought to campus security concerning delusional or delinquent behavior of a previous student
Adam lanza had Breached the security perimeter of the campus twice once resulted in altercation and the second time committing a massacre murder of 26 individuals 20 of which were children between 6 and 7 years old
Apparently the four officials or staff had more faith in the Adam Lanza than Adam was willing to practice
What altercation are you talking about? This has already been credibly dismissed by the State Police investigating this crime. He was not at the school the day before, his mother neither worked or volunteered at the school. Her profession by trade was a financier and she was currently unemployed and collecting 10-12k alimony/month (until 2023 according to a statement released by her former husband's attorney) so she could spend more time with her son. This woman failed her fellow citizens when she refused to come to terms with the reality that her flesh and blood was a danger to society. Our public trust in her to own and keep 6 firearms should come with a legal responsibility to safely store those firearms away from him. This trust was willfully breeched as we all now so tragically know. Have your guns, but take responsibility when they kill others who's only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one among us knows for sure what exact measures or combinations or ideas should be tried to prevent some of this terrible violence. But lets at least agree that a terrible price is being payed by 26 families and they are counting on us to come up with rational solutions. Thats what Americans have always done, and should come together to do now!