US Shooting: Victims Were Shot Multiple Times(Photo & videos at linked-to site)
The gunman who massacred 26 children and adults in America's worst school shooting forced his way into the building, police say.
Lieutenant Paul Vance told a news conference that the suspect was not voluntarily let into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton.Authorities say 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot his mother on Friday, drove her car to the school, then shot 20 children and six adults.
After storming through several classrooms, Lanza, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying two handguns, turned one of the guns he was carrying on himself.
Headteacher Dawn Hochsprung and school psychologist Mary Sherlach both died while attempting to confront the gunman."It's believed he was not voluntarily let into the school at all, that he forced his way into the school, but that’s as far as we can go on that," Lt Vance said.
He confirmed that all of the victims have been positively identified, and next of kin informed.
The painstaking investigation of the crime scene itself is ongoing, and likely to continue for a further two days, he added.
When asked whether any emails or notes ad been discovered that could shed light on the gunman's motive, he said "very good evidence" had been found."Our investigators at the crime scene, the school and secondarily at the secondary crime scene … did produce some very good evidence in this investigation that our investigators will be able to use in hopefully painting the complete picture as to how and more importantly why this occurred."
He said a woman at the school who survived the shooting is doing well and will be a key part of the investigation.
"She is doing fine. She has been treated, and she'll be instrumental in this investigation, as I'm sure you can understand," he said.
Authorities have visited local gun ranges in Connecticut but have found no evidence that the gunman trained for the attack or was an active member of the recreational gun community.The town's first selectman Patricia Llodra spoke to reporters on behalf of the community.
"Newtown has suffered an horrendous tragedy, a harm that has broken our hearts," she said. "Our wound is deep because we are a close-knit community, we truly care for each other."
Medical examiner Dr H Wayne Carver said all the victims of the shooting were killed up close by multiple rifle shots.He added that the shooting was the "worst I have ever seen".
President Barack Obama used his weekly address to express his sadness in the wake of the shooting.
"We grieve for the families of those we lost. And we keep in our prayers the parents of those who survived. Because as blessed as they are to have their children home, they know that their child's innocence has been torn away far too early," Mr Obama said.
He also hinted at possible gun law reform, declaring that the latest atrocity signals that the country should come together to take meaningful action, "regardless of the politics".
Meanwhile in Alabama authorities say a man opened fire in a hospital, wounding an officer and two employees before he was fatally shot by police.
Birmingham Police Sergeant Johnny Williams said the injuries suffered by the officer and employees are not threatening.
He said police were called because a man with a gun was walking through St. Vincent's Hospital on Saturday morning.
When he was confronted by officers, he started shooting.