The only event in the past 20 years that reshaped the gun control debate at all was theColumbineschool shootings. Newtown Bible Church is offering grief counseling. Linda Magliocco said that her best friend had gone to Sandy Hook elementary and remained close to some of the staff. This breaking story will be updated as more information is released. Over the next week, Weiss presided at funerals for eight of the 20 murdered children. On Sunday, Lawrence police declined to comment further or release a police report, directing questions to the district attorney. "There were moments in that classroom where I sat worrying that I would die, worrying that that door would burst open and I would never go home to see my mommy, daddy and my siblings," survivor Jackie Hegarty said. Columbine's ability to change opinion may merely have been unique. One of the gunman's former teachers said Lanza's creative writing was "so graphic that it could not be shared". The Newtown, Connecticut, community continued its tradition of quiet reflection. We're averaging two mass shootings a day.". Police are due to hold a news conference shortly. It sprawls through former farmland in a series of distinct neighbourhoods that includes Sandy Hook, whose elementary school is now burned into the conscience of America. He then went to a second classroom, where first-grade teacher Victoria Soto had hidden her students in a closet. Police asked the media and the public to respect the privacy of the victims' families. In a small community like this the tragedy has inevitably reached out and touched almost everyone in a personal way. By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. School Shootings Once Again Frequent in the U.S. - New York Times Police are due to hold a news conference in the town soon, and we will be following developments. The statement echoes the National Rifle Association, which yesterday said: Until the facts are thoroughly known, the NRA will not be making any comment.". The main weapon used in the attack was an assault rifle, the state's chief medical examiner said. Six educators who gave their lives protecting their students. First published on Sat 15 Dec 2012 19.02EST. He describes his "beautiful, smiling child". Even though the Covington-Newton 911 center received calls regarding a student-made threat, the NCSS nor the NCSO have confirmed the identity of the person. A 2006 paper in the scholarly journal Injury Prevention concluded that the law appears to have worked. Back on Dec. 14, 2012, 20 children and six staff members in Newtown, Conn. did not return home after a gunman walked into a Sandy Hook Elementary and opened fire.