# NYT article: They Saw the Horrific Aftermath of a Mass Shooting. Should we? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 23, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089 "2023-04-23T23:50:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/1 "2023-04-23T23:50:59Z")
[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/magazine/sandy-hook-mass-shooting-scenes.html\](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/magazine/sandy-hook-mass-shooting-scenes.html%5C) Did you read this story recounting the Sandy Hill massacre and the detectives who “processed” the crime scene? I think you should. It is horrible, moving and informative. Well worth a Pulitzer prize I think. Certainly the most important article in today’s paper. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/2 "2023-04-24T00:21:29Z")
Your link didn’t work for me. Here’s a [gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/magazine/sandy-hook-mass-shooting-scenes.html?unlocked_article_code=GufR16D2Hi-Qy_APfp_KTXh31_T9dz2geZRsjzCVNEm_RhacUeCSAk_kpN2z_GNjABicit9LYRvgVqDdTqTJB_8ltDELg761shDisxe9oPtuLYpaeFNRWXj-uP0sH13Bf6DTxcemRzGJsjAmww8kQFdqtAD-bnmIVE3A8xorFFMF3fpOOvJ7WO0Tz45tBruit3zq5_96tCHhDqJArjqzDY6kdjCTxYWnkFp4_wVzbYJUUxnJ1Szny4viNm1Z8rwtLCE_IzT_ltfFmZGyyQvdEFf5GKWbvrFm9UEyrJ6Kt-O0dYkpZR-oUsdLOImXIdt_Vuev3Nkp1hIEQ5Ciw4uEBMCfUsSVkvcKXC4&giftCopy=3_Independent&smid=url-share): ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/3 "2023-04-24T00:22:44Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/4 "2023-04-24T03:57:37Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > the Sandy Hill massacre Sandy Hook? Is the question in the title of your OP about whether the photos of the crime scene, that include the murdered bodies of little children, should be withheld from the public? My answer is yes, they should, even if the parents had not requested it. No-one needs to see those scenes if it is not their job to do so, and there are too many people whose sick fantasies would be fed by such photos. I can imagine only one argument, a very poor one, in favor of exposing these photos to public view: that it would inflame the emotions of all the non-gun people and maybe some of the milder gun people so that gun control legislation would be passed by huge majorities. This argument is itself a fantasy, such a tactic would not move the needle 1%. Having said that, I wonder at the placement of this thread, with that title, in MPSIMS. Because it sounds to me like you are looking for a debate (or some facsimile thereof). ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/5 "2023-04-24T04:39:24Z")
Moving from reports of mass murders to wanting graphic pictures of mass murder scenes (bodies and blood) is more than slightly disturbing, even for you. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/6 "2023-04-24T05:14:28Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > This argument is itself a fantasy, such a tactic would not move the needle 1%. Completely agree. Also completely predictable that the gun crowd would accuse their opponents of “politicizing” a tragedy; their mindset is that gun carnage is inevitable because, you know, guns. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/7 "2023-04-24T08:41:02Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Moving from reports of mass murders to wanting graphic pictures of mass murder scenes (bodies and blood) is more than slightly disturbing, even for you. There were no graphic photos in the Kindle version of the article. I read the Kindle version and tried at least to link to the main _NYT_ page. The headline and the OP mentioned the article delt with horror. I did not write the article, I simply brought it to your attention. As for the rest, there is a Pit thread to attack me. Or so I understand. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/8 "2023-04-24T08:42:10Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Because it sounds to me like you are looking for a debate (or some facsimile thereof). I cannot image what there is to argue about. The article is a discussion of the way this massacre impacted the detectives who did the most gruesome work. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/9 "2023-04-24T09:21:02Z")
(edit, never mind) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/10 "2023-04-24T15:15:00Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > I cannot image what there is to argue about. The last two words of the title, to wit: “Should we?” which in context can only mean, should we see the horrific aftermath of a mass shooting in the only way currently possible, which is the photos that were taken but that are (appropriately) not available to the public. If you unintentionally mis-worded your title, perhaps you can request a mod to help you correct it. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/11 "2023-04-24T16:10:40Z")
I just pasted the (wrong) link, and the title filled itself in. I am just recommending the article. Nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/12 "2023-04-24T16:41:31Z")
Well, I still think you ought to read it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/13 "2023-04-24T16:45:25Z")
I’ve edited the title of the thread to be clearer, and added a staff note clarifying the point of the article ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/14 "2023-04-24T16:50:54Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > > > Moving from reports of mass murders to wanting graphic pictures of mass murder scenes (bodies and blood) is more than slightly disturbing, even for you. > > There were no graphic photos in the Kindle version of the article. I read the Kindle version and tried at least to link to the main _NYT_ page. The headline and the OP mentioned the article delt with horror. I did not write the article, I simply brought it to your attention. > > As for the rest, there is a Pit thread to attack me. Or so I understand. The photos in the web version of the article are not, IMHO, gruesome. I see no blood or gore and certainly no dead children. Some crime scene photos of broken glass, guns on the ground and the mess in the classroom. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/15 "2023-04-25T11:16:43Z")
A really excellent article. Well written and showing the lifelong impact on the responders. Absolutely cannot even conceive having the document and investigate the murder of children. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/16 "2023-04-25T18:46:42Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve edited the title of the thread to be clearer, and added a staff note clarifying the point of the article Maybe I’m in a time machine, but the edited title seems to be back to its original, at least for me. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/17 "2023-04-25T18:48:25Z")
I restored the full name of the article, but moved the indicator that it was from the NYT to the beginning, attempting to indicate that full text was the title of the article. Do you think that’s a problem? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/18 "2023-04-25T18:54:26Z")
No, I didn’t realize that part had moved, and I didn’t scroll up to see your note either. Should be fine. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/19 "2023-04-25T19:11:52Z")
We need an Emmet Till moment. That moved the needle. We need brave and strong parents to agree with it, and every one that does should be regarded as a hero. But the American public needs to see what is actually happening. We need to be slapped in the face with every school shooting that happens. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089/20 "2023-04-25T19:29:02Z")
Thirteen years ago TWENTY TINY BABY CHILDREN WERE GUNNED DOWN IN SCHOOL and NOTHING has happened. Nothing but more shootings. More than half of us are being slapped silly with every further incident. The little angry scared minority that wants every American to have unfettered access to powerful weapons is coming out unscathed, and more armed. It’s a fucking shame. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-they-saw-the-horrific-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-should-we/983089.md?page=2)