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Newtown shootings: The victimsConnecticut shooting: How it happened
Twenty children and six adults died when a gunman rampaged through a primary school in Newtown, Connecticut, firing a semi-automatic rifle before killing himself.
Here is what is known so far about the events which began on a seemingly ordinary Friday morning, only weeks away from the Christmas holiday.
14 December 2012 morning
The gunman's mother Nancy Lanza is believed to be the first killed, just before the rampage at the school
The gunman, named by police as Adam Lanza, 20, shot and killed his mother Nancy Lanza at their home in Newtown, an affluent town of 27,000 people about 60 miles north-east of New York City.
It is still not clear why Lanza killed his mother, who had divorced Lanza's father Peter in 2009.
Nancy Lanza was a teacher, but education officials say that have found no links between her and Sandy Hook Elementary School - contrary to earlier reports. Investigators believe Adam Lanza attended the school many years ago.
Journey to school
After killing his mother, Lanza drove her car to the school, which has about 700 pupils aged between five and 10.
He was dressed in black fatigues. He was carrying an assault rifle, which police say was the main weapon used during the shooting, as well as two handguns loaded with high-capacity magazines.
Police say a fourth weapon, a shotgun, was later found in his car parked outside the school.
Entry into school
Visitors to the school have to be "buzzed in" by a member of staff. But at about 09:30, Lanza shot his way into the school, police now say, contrary to earlier reports that he had been let in.
Shooting begins
Children hid in classrooms during the shooting
Newtown police were notified of shooting at the school over their radios at 09:36.
"Caller is indicating she thinks someone's shooting in the building," a police dispatcher said.
A school employee ran through the halls warning of a gunman on the loose, and someone switched on the intercom, alerting people in the building to the attack by letting them hear the mayhem in the school office, a teacher told AP.
One young survivor said the gunshots sounded like pots and pans falling to the floor.
Teachers locked their doors and ordered children to huddle in a corner or hide in cupboards as shots echoed through the building.
Connecticut medical examiner H Wayne Carver said on Saturday that the seven dead children he personally examined had been shot between three and 11 times each, and two of those were shot at close range.
"The bullets are designed in such a fashion that the energy is deposited in the tissue and so the bullet stays in," he said.
"This is a very devastating set of injuries."
Abrupt end
Authorities say the shooting only lasted a few minutes and took place in two rooms.
"The shooting appears to have stopped," the police dispatcher radioed at 09:38, according to the New York Post. "There is silence at this time. The school is in lockdown."
The police respond
The shooting has shocked the town of 27,000
Fearful the gunman could still be at large, police swarmed into the building, breaking windows to enter at several points, Lt Paul Vance of the Connecticut state police said. Meanwhile, other officers searched and secured the woods surrounding the school, police said in a statement.
Inside the building officers encountered a horrific scene: 18 children and six adults shot dead, including popular principal Dawn Hochsprung, 47. Two more children would later die from their wounds.
The officers went from room to room removing surviving children and staff from classrooms.
A library clerk who had ordered 18 children into a storage room before locking and barricading the door gave the children paper and crayons to keep them occupied. The police arrived at the door within an hour, the clerk, Maryann Jacob, told the Associated Press.
"One of them slid his badge under the door, and they called and said, 'It's OK, it's the police'," she said.
The schoolchildren were escorted hand-in-hand and were told the shut their eyes as they passed the principal's office, believed to be the scene of much of the carnage.
They were taken to Sandy Hook fire station, where worried parents began to gather. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy went to the fire station.
"Evil visited this community today and it's too early to speak of recovery," he said later.
The gunman
The police, who did not fire their weapons during the search, found the body of Lanza, who appears to have killed himself.
More details about Lanza have begun to emerge, but there is still no clear motive for the rampage. AP reported that during the shooting he did not utter a single word.
After tentatively identifying Lanza, police rushed to the house on Yogananda Street where they found his deceased mother.
The bodies
Medical examiners arrived about two hours after the scene had been secured, Dr Carver said.
They began taking photographs of the slain children and adults in a temporary facility similar to a military field hospital set up by the school, he said. By 01:00 on Saturday the bodies had been transported to the medical examiner's office in Farmington, Connecticut, where post-mortem examinations were carried out.
Relatives of the victims were shown photographs of the deceased to help in identification - they did not view the bodies, Dr Carver said.
Media confusion
Initial reports about a shooting at the school identified Ryan Lanza, Adam Lanza's older brother, as the gunman after he was mistakenly identified by a police official.
Ryan Lanza, 24, apparently posted Facebook updates on Friday afternoon that read, "It wasn't me" and "I was at work".
In northern New Jersey, where Ryan Lanza works at an accounting firm, police took him into custody for questioning.
A construction worker who witnessed Ryan Lanza's initial encounter with police said he was handcuffed but remained calm, the Record newspaper reported.
He was said to be co-operating with investigators, was not suspected of having a role in the attack, and had not been placed under arrest.
Most of the 26 people killed by gunman Adam Lanza at a school in Connecticut on Friday were children aged just six or seven.
The six adults who died included the head teacher of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Dawn Hochsprung.
Police in Connecticut have released a full list of the names of those who died.
Here is what we know so far about the victims of one of America's deadliest school shootings.
Dawn Hochsprung, 47
The head teacher of Sandy Hook Elementary viewed her school as a model, telling the Newtown Bee newspaper in 2010: "I don't think you could find a more positive place to bring students to every day."
In October she shared a picture of the school's evacuation drill with the message "Safety first."
Officials said she died while lunging at the gunman in an attempt to overtake him.
Dawn Hochsprung was married and was the mother of two daughters and three step-daughters. She became head teacher at Sandy Hook in 2010.
Friends talk of her infectious laughter.
Victoria Soto, 27
Investigators told relatives that she was killed while shielding her pupils.
She hid some in a bathroom or closet, ensuring they were safe, and then told the gunman that her class was in the gym.
Her cousin Jim Wiltsie told ABC News: "She was trying to shield, get her children into a closet and protect them from harm. And by doing that, put herself between the gunman and the children."
He added: "She lost her life doing what she loved."
Victoria Soto grew up in Stratford, Connecticut and graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University. Her father worked for the state transport department and her mother is a nurse.
She was studying for a master's degree in special education.
Mary Sherlach, 56
When the shooting started, school psychologist Mary Sherlach ran toward the shooter along with Ms Hochsprung, according to superintendent of Newtown Public Schools Janet Robinson.
Those who knew her called her a wonderful neighbour and a dedicated educator.
Her husband, William, told US media: "She considered what she was doing as God's work - that's all you need to know about her".
Her son-in-law, Eric Schwartz, told the South Jersey Times that she relished helping children overcome their problems. She had planned to leave work early on Friday, he said. He told reporters the loss was devastating but that Sherlach was doing what she loved.
Mary Sherlach was the mother of two daughters, Maura, 28, and Katy, 25.
Lauren Rousseau, 30
Lauren Rousseau's mother, Teresa, said Lauren had spent years working as a substitute teacher and was thrilled when she finally become a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook.
"It was the best year of her life," she told the Danbury News-Times, where she is a copy editor.
Lauren Rousseau had planned to see the film The Hobbit with her boyfriend on Friday and had baked cakes for a party they were to attend afterward. She was a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the University of Bridgeport.
Anne Marie Murphy, 52
Her father, Hugh McGowan, told US media that emergency officials had called Anne Marie Murphy a hero for her attempts to protect her charges.
The special education teacher, who had four children of her own, placed herself in front of her class. Her body was found covering children.
Anne Marie Murphy was born in New York State and was described by her mother as a "happy soul".
"She was a very good daughter, a good mother, a good wife. We loved being together."
Rachel D'Avino, 29
Rachel D'Avino was a behavioural therapist, helping children with autism. She had only recently started working at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Her boyfriend had recently asked her parents for her hand in marriage, and was intending to propose to her on Christmas Eve, her obituary on a funeral home website said.
"Her presence and tremendous smile brightened any room she entered," it said. "Rachel loved animals, cooking, baking, photography, and karate. She was an adoring big sister who cherished her two younger siblings like they were her own children."
Her friend, Lissa Lovetere, first met D'Avino in 2005 when the therapist was assigned to help her autistic son in the town of Bethlehem.
"Her job didn't end when the school bell rang at 3 o'clock," Ms Lovetere said.
She said Ms D'Avino was so dedicated that she would make home visits and offer any advice she could.
"I think she taught me more about how to be a good mother to a special needs child than anyone else ever had."
Emilie Parker, 6
Father Robbie Parker, 30, was one of the first parents to publicly talk about his loss. He said Emilie, the older of his three children, "could just light up a room".
He told reporters that she loved to try new things - except food.
"My wife and I don't understand how to process this and how to get our lives going. I don't know how to get through something like this," he said.
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
Ana is the daughter of jazz saxophonist Jimmy Greene, who had just started a new job at Western Connecticut State University.
"As much as she's needed here and missed by her mother, brother and me, Ana beats us all to paradise. I love you sweetie girl," her father wrote on Facebook.
The child's grandmother, Elba Marquez, said the family had moved to Connecticut from Canada earlier this year, drawn in part by Sandy Hook's glowing reputation.
"It was a beautiful place, just beautiful. What happened does not match up with the place where they live," she said.
Ms Marquez said Ana's nine-year-old brother was also at the school, but escaped safely.
Jimmy Greene named a composition after Ana, 'Ana Grace' on his 2009 album, 'Mission Statement'.
Dylan Hockley, 6
In an interview with local newspaper the Newtown Bee earlier this year, Dylan Hockley's mother Nicole said the family had moved to the US from England two years ago. Father Ian Hockley previously worked in Southampton.
Prayers were said on Sunday for Dylan and his family in the English town of Eastleigh, in Hampshire, where they used to life. Neighbours there spoke of Dylan as a lovely, intelligent boy who enjoyed school.
The Hockleys are reported to have lived in Yogananda Street and were neighbours of Adam and Nancy Lanza.
Grace McDonnell, 7
"We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from so many people," Grace's parents, Chris and Lynn, said in a statement to the Washington Post newspaper.
"Our daughter Grace was the love and light of our family. Words cannot adequately express our sense of loss."
Her grandmother, Mary Ann McDonnell, said Grace loved wearing pink and dressing up, and enjoyed art, gymnastics, football and her small spaniel Puddin'.
"She was a wonderful little girl. She was always smiling," Mary Ann McDonnell said.
Noah Pozner, 6
He attended Sandy Hook school with his twin sister, Arielle, and an older sister, Sophia, 8. Arielle was in a different class and survived the attack, as did Sophia.
Noah had celebrated Hanukkah the Saturday before the shooting with his uncle, Arthur, in Brooklyn.
His uncle described him as very inquisitive and intelligent: "For a six-year-old, he was a very smart kid."
Olivia Engel, 6
Olivia was a happy child, with a great sense of humour, who enjoyed school and was doing well, her family said in a statement.
Her uncle, John Engel, said she "lit up a room and the people around her". A friend of the family described her as a "wiggly, smiley six-year-old".
She loved art, drawing and designing, played tennis and football and took several dance classes.
"She was a great big sister and was always very patient with her three-year-old brother, Brayden," her family said.
Olivia had been cast to play an angel in a Nativity play in St Rose of Lima church on Saturday, the Reverend Robert Weiss told the Reuters news agency.
Catherine Hubbard, 6
In a statement released to the media, her parents Matthew and Jennifer Hubbard said: "We are greatly saddened by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Catherine Violet, and our thoughts and prayers are with the other families who have been affected by this tragedy. We ask that you continue to pray for us and the other families who have experienced loss in this tragedy."
Charlotte Bacon, 6
Charlotte was supposed to have kept her brand new pink dress and boots for the holidays, but had persuaded her mother to let her wear them to school on Friday, said her uncle John Hagen.
"She was going to go some places in this world," he told local media. "This little girl could light up the room for anyone".
Her older brother Guy also attended the school, but escaped the shooting.
Daniel Barden, 7
The youngest of three children, Daniel was "fearless in the pursuit of happiness in life... earning his ripped jeans and missing two front teeth", the family said in a statement.
"Words really cannot express what a special boy Daniel was," they said. "Such a light. Always smiling, unfailingly polite, incredibly affectionate, fair and so thoughtful towards others, imaginative in play, both intelligent and articulate in conversation; in all a constant source of laughter and joy."
Jesse Lewis, 6
Jesse's father Neil Heslin described his son as a happy boy, who was doing well in school and "going to go places in life".
He particularly enjoyed playing at his mother's farm, and had "been on horses since he was a year-and-a-half old", Mr Heslin told the New York Post.
Mr Heslin said he had been planning to return to school later on Friday to help Jesse and the rest of his classmates make gingerbread houses.
Jessica Rekos, 6
Jessica was a "creative, beautiful little girl who loved playing with her little brothers, Travis and Shane", her family said.
She loved "everything about horses", enjoyed writing in her journals, and had become fascinated with killer whales after watching the movie Free Willy, they said.
The family described her as their "rock" and said they "cannot imagine our life without her".
"She had an answer for everything, she didn't miss a trick, and she outsmarted us every time. We called her our little CEO for the way she carefully thought out and planned everything," they said.
Jack Pinto, 6
Jack Pinto was a huge fan of the New York Giants, and idolised one of the team's star players Victor Cruz.
The Giants paid tribute to all the victims of the shooting during its game on Sunday, but Victor Cruz wore Jack's name on his shoes and gloves in a personal tribute to his young fan.
Josephine Gay, 7
Josephine is reported to have celebrated her seventh birthday on Tuesday, just three days before the massacre.
Chase Kowalski, 7
Chase was a boy who was always outside, playing in the garden or backyard, riding his bicycle.
A neighbour said that just last week he had been describing winning his first mini-triathlon.
"You couldn't think of a better child," Kevin Grimes said.
James Mattioli, 6
Described as a "numbers guy" by his family, six-year-old James loved maths and would often come up with insights beyond his years to explain the relationship between numbers.
He was born four weeks before his due date and his family often joked that he came into the world early because he was hungry.
In his obituary they described James' love of hamburgers with ketchup, his dad's omelettes with bacon and his mum's French toast. He often asked to stop at a popular sandwich shop and ask how old he needed to be to order a foot-long sandwich.
A thoughtful and considerate boy, they said he recently chose to give up a gift for himself and use the money instead to buy his grandfather a mug for Christmas.
The other young victims are:
Madeleine Hsu, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Benjamin Wheeler, 6; Allison Wyatt, 6.
Nancy Lanza, 52
Nancy Lanza appears to have been the first victim of her son Adam, who shot her dead at their home before making his way to Sandy Hook school.
She has been described as a friendly, considerate and generous neighbour, who enjoyed games nights, gardening and craft beers.
She was also a gun enthusiast, and it was her weapons that Adam used in his rampage. She reportedly took her sons target shooting, although friends have described her as a responsible gun owner.
Nancy Lanza had home-schooled Adam for several years after she had "battled" with school system officials over how to educate her highly-intelligent but socially awkward son, her sister-in-law Marsha said.
She was left "very well off" after divorce from husband Peter in 2009, and was "always there for" Adam and his older brother Ryan, Marsha Lanza said.
“God has called them all home. For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on, and make our country worthy of their memory.
I hear no voice, I feel no touch,
I see no glory bright;
But yet I know that God is near,
In darkness as in light.
God watches ever by my side,
And hears my whispered prayer for my little children:
A God of love for a little child
Both night and day does care.
God Bless U My Sweet little Flowers.
Urs chandhu
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