December 14, 2012
In what is now known as one of the deadliest school shootings in history, a gunman opened fire in a Connecticut Elementary School today, killing 27 people – 20 of which were children.
A source has identified the shooter as Adam Lanza, 20, who was dressed in black military gear. His mother worked at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he opened fire inside her kindergarten class.
Lanza was found dead inside the school. It is unclear whether he was gunned down by law enforcement.
An official said the shooter was armed with a .223-caliber rifle. A total of four weapons were recovered from the scene. The motive is not yet known.
This afternoon, President Obama made a statement from the Briefing Room on the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
The President also issued a proclamation honoring the victims of the tragedy, ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on December 18.