Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


            Police: Mass Killing Shooter Forced His Way Into School

   by VOA News

   Police say the shooter in Friday's mass killing at northeastern U.S.
   elementary school forced his way into the building before gunning down
   20 young children and six adults.
   Police Lieutenant Paul Vance told reporters Saturday that 20-year-old
   Adam Lanza was not voluntarily let into Sandy Hook Elementary School in
   Newtown, Connecticut on Friday.  He did not elaborate on how Lanza
   forced his way in, saying the investigation is ongoing.
   Vance also said the victims of the shooting have been positively
   identified and promised a medical examiner and the superintendent of
   schools would speak to reporters later on.  He said the one shooting
   victim who survived is "doing fine" and will be instrumental to the
   shooting investigation.
   U.S. authorities have yet to say what might have been the gunman's
   motives in the shooting, which took place in a small community 130
   kilometers northeast of New York City.
   A VOA reporter on the scene said news outlets from Japan, China, Sweden
   and other countries have sent reporters to cover the event, one of the
   largest mass shootings in recent U.S. history.
   ''Hundreds of mourners descended on a church in Newtown Friday night to
   grieve the deaths, as the community and the nation sought to absorb the
   scope of the tragedy.  Governor Dannel Malloy told the mourners "evil
   visited this community today."
   On Saturday, U.S. President Barack Obama said in his weekly address
   that every parent in America has "a heart heavy with hurt."  He called
   for "meaningful action" to prevent more tragedies.
   Witnesses say the gunman dressed in black military fatigues entered the
   school at mid-morning Friday, opening fire on children and their
   teachers in two rooms.  The principal of the school was among those
   killed.
   Officials say the shooter died at the scene of a self-inflicted
   gunshot.  Two semi-automatic handguns were found nearby.  A military
   assault rifle was later found in the gunman's car.
   ''Authorities say the shooter killed his mother at her home where he
   also lived, then drove her car to the school where witnesses say he
   opened fire without saying a word.
   The gunman's brother was taken by police for questioning late Friday in
   New Jersey.  Police say he is cooperating in the probe.
   Video from the crime scene showed children being rushed from the school
   single file, people hugging, and frantic parents either waiting for
   word on their children or hugging them once found.  It took several
   hours before the full scope of the tragedy became public.
   The usual Republican Party address Saturday was not delivered.
   Republican leaders said this was a time for the president to speak for
   the nation.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/police-mass-killing-shooter-forced-hi
   s-way-into-school/1565706.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/police-mass-killing-shooter-forced-his-way-into-school/1565706.html