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Subscribe to RSSAs families struggle to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives in the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., some are clinging to bits of solace from the grim details that emerge.
The family of six-year-old Dylan Hockley, one of the 20 children killed in the shootings last Friday, revealed in a statement Monday that their child's favorite teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary cradled him as they both died in a hail of bullets.
"We take great comfort in knowing that Dylan was not alone when he died but was wrapped in the arms of his amazing aide, Anne Marie Murphy," Dylan’s family said in a statement. "Dylan loved Mrs. Murphy so much and pointed at her picture on our refrigerator every day."
Murphy, 52, a mother to four children with her husband, Michael, was a special education teacher in Dylan’s classroom at Sandy Hook. She was a 14-year resident of Sandy Hook and formerly of Katonah, N.Y., according to her obituary.
"She will be remembered for her love of the arts, walks in the outdoors and most importantly: her family," her obituary said.
Authorities reportedly told Murphy's parents, Hugh and Alice McGowan, that their daughter helped shield some of her students from the rain of bullets.
“A first responder said she was a hero,” her 86-year-old father told Newsday. “You don’t expect your daughter to be murdered. That’s sort of a shocker.”
Murphy’s mother, also 86, said she grabbed her rosary and cried when she got the news.
Dylan’s parents, Ian Thomas, who is British, and Nicole Marie (Moretti), both 42, had lived in England for 18 years before moving to a house on the same street as Nancy Lanza, the gunman's mother and first victim, in January, The Telegraph (U.K.) reported. They said they chose Newtown specifically for the tight-knit community and the Sandy Hook school.
“We do not and shall never regret this choice,” they said. “Our boys have flourished here and our family’s happiness has been limitless.”
The family also praised other staffers and teachers who died at Sandy Hook.
"We cannot speak highly enough of Dawn Hochsprung and Mary Sherlach, exceptional women who knew both our children and who specifically helped us navigate Dylan's special education needs," Dylan's family added. "Dylan's teacher, Vicki Soto, was warm and funny and Dylan loved her dearly."
Both Hochsprung, 47, the school principal, and Sherlach, 56, the school psychologist, died while lunging at the gunman, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, in an attempt to overpower him. Soto, 27, a first-grade teacher, shielded her students and ushered them into a closet, putting herself between them and the gunman. She was found huddled with the children.
"Though our hearts break for Dylan, they are also filled with love for these and other beautiful women who all selflessly died trying to save our children," the family said.
In the statement, the Hockley family said Dylan loved to cuddle, bounce on his trampoline and play computer games. He also looked up to his older brother, Jake. He was learning to read and "was so proud when he read us a new book every day."
"We will always be a family of four," they said. "He is forever in our hearts and minds."
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When this horrible tragedy took place, I was in the emergency room with a kidney stone attack. I hope all their pain went into me instead of them. I went in around 9:00, and 9:30 it was the worst pain I think I ever had. Bless those little angels.
I have a special needs daughter and this story hits so close to home it breaks my heart, and I am one bad, heartless s.o.b. Thank God for that aide and for being there for that beautiful angel. There are no bigger angels than special kids, and those that choose to care for them.
There is no greater power in the universe than the LOVE of ones fellow human being even in the face of unspeakable evil. In the end LOVE conquers all. HEAVEN has just opened it's gates to 26 Angels.
We're quickly reaching a point where the Media needs to take a break and let these poor folks try and mourn their loss, in private.
24 hour up-to-the-minute reporting on so many levels...
I could not imagine what it must be like to grieve a lost family member so close to Christmas under the magnifying glass of the entire world.
Personally, I've heard enough. Im done.
My prayers are with all those who hurt.
I'm with you Sluggo. It's sad, and we're all grieving, but this community needs room and privacy.
I haven't been able to watch what passes for "news" since Friday. It's 24/7 grief, shock and horror. As if nothing else horrible or newsworthy in the world has occurred.
If you want the news to stop reporting death, then tell people to stop killing other people. I agree that these families need a break, but they can turn off the TV ( if it is even on ) The rest of us need to deal with this now. We do not wait for it all to blow over anymore, we do not chill out until everyone forgets it happened. We stay mad, we stay hurt, until we come up with a solution that works for the nation.
The time to turn away is over. The time to make excuses is done.
The media always take advantage of tragedies like this to turn them into sensational forms of entertainment. They don't even bother to get the facts straight before they start cranking out stuff designed to get the public all upset. That way they get big-time "ratings" for having a lot of people watching their sponsors' commercials. Much of the time the crap they proclaim early in the broadcasts turns out to be false.
And the public responds en force. What does that say for our society?
Please consider violent video games. What age is your son? What type of video games does he play?
I'm in high school and I play Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Halo, all kinds of video games most adults consider violent. Almost everyone I know plays them. And believe me, none of us have considered shooting up innocent kids like this bozo.
I havent stopped crying since friday
Please stop taking pictures of these children! Leave them alone!
I agree stop the pictures, death and mourning are and should be private.
No amount of advertising it will bring the dead back.
I agree, let the families have privacy.
F the NRA gun-fetish little boys.
I cannot help but grow more and more angry at the monster who perpetuated this carnage. Hell is too good a resting place for him.
Along with the ban on automatic and semi-automatic assault weapons, controlled use of ammo purchase, mental health care improvements I support something along the lines Canada uses in order to purchase ANY type of firearm. One can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. I prefer the latter myself.
one must pass a written test and then Obtain a Firearms Acquisition Certificate, one must then obtain (this MAY have changed with the abolition of the Long Gun Registry- which is still before the Courts as the Province of Quebec has file an objection to this act of Parliament and now wishes to institute its own Registry) a Possession License - NOW you can go and buy your firearm at your favourite gun shop. This is the procedure for obtaining a long gun, as it becomes slightly more cumbersome for buying a pistol, because there is a definite POLICE check via their and National Records!
You buy your Pistol or Restricted Long Gun, pay for it, leave the weapon at the shop, take the paperwork to the local Police who have an Officer dedicated as the local Registrar, who then MAY issue you with a Permit of Conveyance, which allows you to transport the weapon from the shop to your residence by the shortest and most expeditious route available (in a locked container or with a trigger lock in place AND it cannot be loaded btw).
In your Home, the weapon must be SAFELY stored, if not and it is stolen or lost, dire criminal or civil penalties may apply!
Did any one read ,this was a mentally disturbed person who DID NOT own or purchase guns ,the guns were Stolen from his Mother the . All the Gun Control will Never stop thieves ,criminals ,or mentally screwed up people .
Lets have the media STOP the coverage ,making money selling adds on peoples woes is typical. Give it a rest. It was a terrible thing that happened . The End Please!
So basically what you want is a police state? Don't know where you live, but here in NY in order to buy even a rifle you are processed thru the FBI database. To purchase a handgun you basically have to jump thru a ring that is on fire! Strict enough for you?
Adolf Eichmann was found to be sane by a psychiatrist. Unfortunately we may never know whether this individual was not prior to his actions. Mental Illness is not always a precursor to violence just as your sane neighbor next door would not be capable if they snapped either.
The only thing sadder than the Newtown shooting is the fact that this is encouraged by the government by setting aside places where psychopaths can freely attack innocent DEFENSELESS victims. This obscene tragedy brought to you by the state and federal government's ban on self protection on school properties.
That is an absurd argument. And the increased font size and bold type make it even more so.
Kill zones for criminals have been created by the government.
And that is even more absurd.
Hey idiot
docjt
Do you not think that when the gun carrying criminal sees a sign "No Firearms Permitted On These Premises" the criminal doesn't get a smile on their face?
No.
That is exactly what I would want for my child. Truly conforting I am sure for that mom!!!
Whew - the Operation MOCKINBIRD media is milking this one for all it can give, aren't they? With this "story," they'll be able to sell advertising space for the women's market forever. It's like taxation, I guess: if it happened, no matter what it was and whom it must prostitute, they'll exploit - sell - it. I often wonder what the limit disgust can reach is, but I'm sure I'm about to be shown.
Are you that bad of a marksman with a plain hand gun or hunting rifle that you need a weapon that can spray into the crowd? Methinks that many are going to have to learn to use that "old fashioned" firearm!
Methinks you idiot
Thank you for sharing this story.To know your child died and died so horrific,this gives some comfort if any that he was being held by someone he loved.....
We have been a gun owning society too long to turn it around.
For people with mental health issues there are no laws that will protect us from them if they are bent on getting a gun and killing. Just look at Japan with a no gun law, the crazies over there just resort to using knives to stab and kill people.
I think they should have metal detectors at all schools and a police officer or two at each school.
Going further they should allow the teachers to be armed.
If the teachers were armed the shooter would not have done the damage he did.
I don't want my right to bear arms to be changed and at the same time I don't want to see anymore incidents like this one.
My thoughts exactly..
Adolf Eichmann was found to be sane by a psychiatrist so what now New Tampa? You can be part of the problem or part of the solution.... it's your decision.
Here is the issue with your "more guns" solution...not sure if you have been reading anything about what happened, so if not let me fill you in. He had 2 hand guns and a semi automatic AR 15 rifle with what can be reasonably be assumed to be enough ammo to take out the entire school. So what you propose is the teachers and a guard or two to have guns on them. I will then ask you to please think logically for a second and look at what the kid was carring on him. Can you honestly sit there and tell me that he would have had no problem spraying hundreds of rounds in anyone he deemed threatening or that may have had a gun. The teachers had pretty much no time to react except to try to get their kids to safety, leaving only a possible "guard", who you seem to believe would be a marksman and take the kid down with the 30 bullet/clip semi automatic before he kills the guard. Sorry, but that is exactly the attitude that leads to someone forgetting to lock up their guns or not even put them away. I am for safety and responsible gun ownership for home protection, but while the kid didn't purchase any of the guns, the mom sure as hell was able to purchase that AR 15, not to mention all of that ammo. What the hell was she preparing for? Get rid of your attitude and your "interpretation" of the second amendment as everyone needs to come to the table and give up something for the better good of this nation.
NewTampaResident,
And who do you think is going to pay for all this? Isn't you TeaPublicans who are already saying teachers make to much and your taxes are better in your pocket than a teachers? Who is going to pay for the guns and training to make sure those teachers don't accidentally shot the kids themselves? Who is going to pay for the metal detectors and the police, who again the cons say are overpaid, to stand at the entrance? This kid new the security system and was able to get in through a window.
It is you Yahoos that are a danger to society!! You idiots think a gun solves ALL situations, when if in the wrong hands, a scared man pissing his own pants because he is having a gun pointed at him, who could hurt even more people that the shooter. There are no magic bullets that hit what you wish they would hit!
Even an man here at the mall shooting in Portland, knew that firing his CONCEALED weapon could endanger others, so he CHOOSE not to fire! I don't think you "Jack Bauer Cowboys" would have enough common sense to NOT prove what a complete stupid idiot you are by killing someone unarmed!! George Zimmerman taught us all that any idiot can get a gun, but they don't come with common sense! What about the other idiot at the 7-11 in Florida, shot his gun into a car of teens with their music to loud, killing a child!! Yeah, tell me how safe the public is from you idiots!
I have never been so exhausted in all my life from crying so much. When will we all start feeling better? Ever?
To be honest, vegan, I hope that we, as a nation, do not start feeling better any time soon. That pain motivates us to make necessary changes.
Perfect words
for this moment.
twas' 11 days
before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending
Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA
It was pure evil that committed this heinous act. This demon was on a mission and if it wasn't an assault rifle he would have found other means to commit this atrocious act. The earth is the devils playground!
No, it wasn't evil. It was a sick boy who's mother from what I read, what a gun enthusiastist, who thought that her guns would protect her, when actually they cost her and several children their lives! The fact of the matter is that if he HADN"T had the assault riffle, then people could have had more time to react and potentially stop him before he killed 26. But when you can shoot off hundreds of rounds in a mere few second there is not much time to do anything.
Why do private people need to have asault riffles? Don't give me the NRA crap about 2nd Ammendment, UNLESS your advocating private citizens having nuclear warheads and other "ARMS"! No where in the Constutition does the word gun appear. It says ARMs so that is ANY military weapon, not limited to guns!!
arm 2 (ärm)
n.
1. A weapon, especially a firearm: troops bearing arms; ICBMs, bombs, and other nuclear arms.
2. A branch of a military force: infantry, armor, and other combat arms.
The real evil here is that private citizens want to arm themselves with military weapons, that are designed specifically to harm or kill other humans! You don't take an AK 47 hunting, there would be nothing left of the deer after he is shot 100 times!
This whole incident is just horrifying. I can't get those children out of my mind and how they must have felt in that classroom. I can't imagine the mindset of a person who could do this. I can't imagine being one of the family of these kids. So unbelievably sad.
Union teachers?? It is the not so good teachers that the union protects--the teachers are heros and would have done the same if they were not union. Gun control..some nut has to pull the trigger--mental health is the issue
There are NOT going to be school resource police in every school ! That would cost states, counties, and cities mega bucks.....These small towns have little money. These are isolated incidents, not armagedon.
Gun control will cause mass uprisings among gun enthusiasts !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Universe will unfold as it should
This is just so sad. It makes me want to cry again. May all the children rest in peace along with the adults too. I know they are now stars in the heavens.
If I hear ONE MORE TEABAGGER whine about over paid teachers and how they don't earn their money I WILL DECK THEM WHERE THEY STAND.
I am so sick of these F$#)&#& Teabaggers whining about lazy overpaid, worthless teachers and how they are only in it for the money while defending tax breaks for the rich.
So come on let's hear you moron baggers bich about teachers ONE MORE TIME.
Here ys go "sir"...the ULTIMATE in teacher union hypocrisy....and BTW, nearly ANY person, no matter their profession would likely do the same.
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) – The nation’s largest teachers’ pension fund says it will review its holdings after being criticized for having an investment in the manufacturer of an assault rifle used in last week’s Connecticut school massacre.
California State Teachers’ Retirement System spokesman Michael Sicilia said Tuesday that the $155 billion pension system is making sure its investments comply with the fund’s own social and ethical standards.
What a heart breaking story! It is simply amazing to think that this teacher and her tiny student were together at the end comforting each other. If nothing else can be taken out of this, it is knowing that this beautiful little boy died in the arms of someone he loved and who loved him back. Listening to the stories of these teachers and their protection of the kids - some even in death - gives me a whole new respect and admiration for teachers.
With all of the stories coming out of Conn. Where are the stories about our republican leaders and their congressional rank and file.
Could it be because they receive millions from the gun lobby. Could it be that they would have to take a side on gun control with the national press.
Boehner has not responded, but has continued the fight to get tax credits for the rich. Vern Buchanan of Sarasota Florida heads the campaign contribution arm of the republican party. They seem to have put money and politics above protecting our children.
Has any republican office holder from across the nation attended any of programs in Conn to advance healing. Has any stood before the national press and asked for a ban on assault weapons. Has any republican had a national prayer service for the victems and their families.
It seems everyone else across the world has except our republican office holders.
I do not believe in a ban on weapons, but whom really needs an asault weapon/rifle. Sorry it must be to protect us from revolution, our military, aliens, and/or from those nuts that already own them. Every teacher should carry an assault rifle to work with them. Maybe ---- like in Florida it can be used against someone playing their music to loud in a parking lot.
Duane Overholt
Consumer Advocate
Yaaawn...same old left wingnut nonesense. Here's a news flash...more people are buying guns and similar weapons used in this tragedy now not to protect themselves from nuts like the shooter or criminals, but to protect themselves from our very own govt. which is going by the way of european socialism. That's a fact that you progressives can't stomach.
Even the teacher UNION pension plans in CA invested in gun mfrs. so shove your DEMOCRAP left wing ideology up your wazzoo.
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) – The nation’s largest teachers’ pension fund says it will review its holdings after being criticized for having an investment in the manufacturer of an assault rifle used in last week’s Connecticut school massacre.
California State Teachers’ Retirement System spokesman Michael Sicilia said Tuesday that the $155 billion pension system is making sure its investments comply with the fund’s own social and ethical standards
This left me heart broken....but if nothing else can be taken out of this is that this tiny beautiful little boy died in the arms of someone he loved and who loved him back. To think at the end that they were not alone and were of comfort to each other is simply amazing. I have a new respect for all teachers now as I listen to the acts of protection by all of the teachers at this school.