# Shooting at CT Elementary School **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 14, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044 "2012-12-14T17:55:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/81 "2012-12-14T20:15:26Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Rest assured that those of us who are charged with protecting your children is such a circumstance are following this story with dread and mentally running through our own scenarios at our own schools. We care for our charges and take these things very seriously. Thank you **silenus** , and all other teachers and school administrators who look after our kids. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/82 "2012-12-14T20:15:46Z")
Guess I missed post #52. Sorry > [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > Just watching the BBC. They are quoting one student as saying that their teacher got them all to hide in a storeroom and locked the door. They heard a man banging and kicking at the door and shouting to let him in. The teacher told them all to stay quiet and he went away. A short time later the police came and told them it was safe. Good teacher, good drill. I was in high school when Columbine happened, and we started having lock down drills. Some people complained that they were a waste of time and money. Kids learn from, and remember, repetition. Adults too. What would this teacher have done if there had been no plan? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/83 "2012-12-14T20:23:31Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > CNN reporter was very precise to say that LE didn’t say the mother was among the dead at school, but found dead. I think they’re saying that now since it seems obvious anyway. The shooter’s girlfriend and another friend are also missing and they’re reporting that one of the brothers of the shooter was also found dead. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/84 "2012-12-14T20:24:16Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > maybe homeschooling isn’t such a crazy idea anymore? I just know know what to think about something like this. With 2 almost kindergartners, who you can’t even protect at school, what is a parent supposed to do and how are you supposed to react? What is overreacting? My wife called me in tears, we have an amazing two year old and she is now determined that we will home school, something that I always found awkward and creepy in the past (probably from my youth and some experiences and influences that are probably outdated and myopic). Anyway, after seeing something like this, I am starting to think home schooling is a better option… how sad, so very sad. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/85 "2012-12-14T20:29:06Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I think they’re saying that now since it seems obvious anyway. The shooter’s girlfriend and another friend are also missing and they’re reporting that one of the brothers of the shooter was also found dead. Well, the reporter seemed to be making a point that the language was so precise. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/86 "2012-12-14T20:30:15Z")
NBC is reporting that a second family member is dead at the family home. As someone else mentioned, this isn’t so much a gun control issue as it is a mental health issue. This guy needed help and apparently didn’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/87 "2012-12-14T20:33:02Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Well, the reporter seemed to be making a point that the language was so precise. Yes, they were. But they’re now confirming that the mother is dead at the school. She was a kindergarten teacher and most of the kids who were killed were in that classroom. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/88 "2012-12-14T20:33:47Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > Christ, why does this keep _happening?_ Since this summer, there have been _how_ many public shootings/attempted shootings? What the hell is causing this? What is the matter with our country? > > Not much more I can add to this. Just another declaration of ‘how tragic.’ Don’t you think that crazy people wanting to go out in a blaze of glory may see the sort of glory that this sort of reaction provides? That it becomes a news story for weeks, that it inspires such outrage in everyone, that it deserves such attention? Making such a big deal out of these things leads to more of them. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/89 "2012-12-14T20:33:49Z")
Not to derail this thread, but incidents like this make clear to me that sometime in the next 100 years, some lunatic is going to get a hold of a nuclear device - when and if it becomes easier to acquire - and single handedly take out a city… and I have no idea how we could stop it. Forget the Mayans, Near Earth Asteroids, Aliens and Zombies… the world will end at the hands of some single lonely insignificant nutjob. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/90 "2012-12-14T20:37:51Z")
A shooting like this is a tragedy any time it occurs, but it’s even more horrifying this close to Christmas. I’ll bet most of those kids at that school were eagerly anticipating a visit from Santa. Christmas will now be an occasion of heartbreak and sorrow for the entire community. My heart goes out to all of the victims and survivors and their families. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/91 "2012-12-14T20:40:52Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > Anyway, after seeing something like this, I am starting to think home schooling is a better option… how sad, so very sad. I think you need to put things in perspective. The statistical chance of this happening to your kid is miniscule. How many schools are there in the US? Are you comfortable with your daughter flying in an airplane or being in a car? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/92 "2012-12-14T20:42:31Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > …Are you comfortable with your daughter flying in an airplane or being in a car? Not if there’s a crazed gunman in either. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/93 "2012-12-14T20:43:29Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > If its what I think it is, I feel bad for the shooter too. …and maybe you’d like to share your thoughts with the group? Horrible. Reading the first story about it and looking at the pictures… those poor kids, those poor parents… ☹ I’d hug my kid if I had one. I’d hug my “brother”'s kid if she wasn’t five hundred miles away. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/94 "2012-12-14T20:45:53Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > So if his target was his mother, why in the world did he kill all those children and other innocent people? The only person on the planet that can answer that question is dead. Hell, even if he was alive he probally wouldn’t be able to give a coherent answer. I mean they were fucking _kindergarteners_. I can’t imagine what the parents are going through, but I really hope we don’t see any suicides. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/95 "2012-12-14T20:47:26Z")
The school had a no-admittance policy, and visitors had to ring a bell and be seen on camera before being admitted to the school. Since his mother worked there, he may have been a familiar face to whomever let him in (and how must she feel about that?). Schools need to take a more active stance and provide guards at the primary access point of a school, a person who does a physical search of visitors and their bags during school hours, prior to their being let past the hardline. While the teachers did their jobs and possibly saved lives in the process, the guy never should have gotten past the front door. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/96 "2012-12-14T20:48:00Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > Cause he’s crazy. > > Everyone will be talking about guns, but we should be talking about mental health resources. > > If its what I think it is, I feel bad for the shooter too. Soooooooooooooo not the time. $%@! that dude. He got off easy with his own bullet. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/97 "2012-12-14T20:48:30Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Guess I missed post #52. Sorry > > I was in high school when Columbine happened, and we started having lock down drills. Some people complained that they were a waste of time and money. Kids learn from, and remember, repetition. Adults too. What would this teacher have done if there had been no plan? When I was in high school I made a foot long knife in shop class and carried it with me from class to class while making it. I took a hand gun safety training course at school. The rural kids in my area took guns to school for target practice. Times have changed. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/98 "2012-12-14T20:50:05Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > The only person on the planet that can answer that question is dead. Hell, even if he was alive he probally wouldn’t be able to give a coherent answer. I mean they were fucking _kindergarteners_. I can’t imagine what the parents are going through, but I really hope we don’t see any suicides. Allegedly, the other person arrested at the scene was the shooter’s brother. If that is true, no doubt he’s being questioned right now on these points … perhaps it will provide some insights, assuming he talks. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/99 "2012-12-14T20:50:07Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > With 2 almost kindergartners, who you can’t even protect at school, what is a parent supposed to do and how are you supposed to react? What is overreacting? > [@chargerrich](#): > > Anyway, after seeing something like this, I am starting to think home schooling is a better option… how sad, so very sad. This is a bad knee-jerk reaction. These things are terrifying, but freak occurrences. The fact is, [your children are safer at school](http://www.npr.org/2012/03/16/148758783/violence-in-schools-how-big-a-problem-is-it) [than they are _anywhere_ else](http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol8is3/killingbeck.html), even at home with you (statistically; obviously, I don’t know you). ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044/100 "2012-12-14T20:50:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The school had a no-admittance policy, and visitors had to ring a bell and be seen on camera before being admitted to the school. Since his mother worked there, he may have been a familiar face to whomever let him in (and how must she feel about that?). She was murdered by her son, so she won’t be around to deal with any parental guilt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-ct-elementary-school/644044.md?page=6)