News Why Would an Adult Target Kindergarten Students in a Shooting?

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A tragic school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, has resulted in the deaths of 27 people, including 18 children, primarily in a kindergarten classroom. The gunman, who is reported dead, had connections to the school through his mother, a teacher there. The incident has sparked intense discussions about gun violence and the societal implications of such acts, with many expressing disbelief and horror at the targeting of young children. Some participants in the discussion highlight the need for urgent action to address gun-related issues in America, while others reflect on the broader nature of human violence. The emotional impact on families and communities is profound, with many struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-connecticut-school-shooting-20121214,0,4678476.story

NEWTOWN, Conn.—
An official with knowledge of Connecticut school shooting tells the Associated Press that 27 people are dead, including 18 children. Many of the shootings took place in a kindergarten classroom, sources told the Hartford Courant. The gunman is reported dead.

I am at a loss of words here. I can almost, almost (but not quite) understand it when a bullied high schooler brings a gun to school and shoots his high school bullies. But what could possibly go through an adult's mind to convince him to grab several guns and shoot up kindergarten classes?
 
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Jack21222 said:
I am at a loss of words here.

Nuff said. I'm beyond done with this. We need to do whatever it takes to stop this trend.

My fiance works at an elementary school. I almost hope she doesn't read about this.
 
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@ kktv11news : Child victims were just 5-10 years old. CBS says they were killed execution-style. 2nd suspect in custody, not clear yet if he was involved.

Also heard most were from one classroom. Close to 30 dead now. This is so bad.
 


PLEASE don't use this tragic event to further your opinion of guns laws. This is not the time or place.

I just don't understand how he could kill an entire classroom full of elementary children. Seriously, if you can't take it anymore then get yourself out of the game but leave everyone else alone! I have heard of some cowardly acts but this one is just beyond words. There are 20+ parents who just got the worst news you could possibly receive, I can't even comprehend it...
 


The gunman's mother is a teacher at the school.
 


IMP said:
I just don't understand how he could kill an entire classroom full of elementary children.
Is this really all that surprising? People are acting like it's a novel act never before seen in recent history. Humans are evil creatures and are capable of horrible things. Sadly those poor children had to be at the blunt end of that.
 


WannabeNewton said:
Is this really all that surprising?

The minute it doesn't become surprising or shocking is the minute I give up on humanity.
 


WannabeNewton said:
Is this really all that surprising? People are acting like it's a novel act never before seen in recent history. Humans are evil creatures and are capable of horrible things. Sadly those poor children had to be at the blunt end of that.

It is way beyond surprising, I can't even comprehend that someone could actually do this.
 
  • #10


IMP said:
It is way beyond surprising, I can't even comprehend that someone could actually do this.
People do these kinds of things all the time...it's horrible but it isn't rare
 
  • #11


Evo said:
The gunman's mother is a teacher at the school.

I believe she was found dead in his home...
 
  • #12


They just released his name, apparently he killed his father in New Jersey, went to Newtown killed his mother who worked at the elementary school (which so far is the only connection they have found between him and the school). Then he went to the school...
 
  • #13


IMP said:
They just released his name, apparently he killed his father in New Jersey, went to Newtown killed his mother who worked at the elementary school (which so far is the only connection they have found between him and the school). Then he went to the school...
Which news are you listening to?
 
  • #14


WannabeNewton said:
People do these kinds of things all the time...it's horrible but it isn't rare

Really!? Find me the last time a guy killed his mom, dad and 30 kids/adults at an elementary school. I'll give you gold membership for life if you can find that act happen within the last year.
 
  • #16


Greg Bernhardt said:
Really!? Find me the last time a guy killed his mom, dad and 30 kids/adults at an elementary school. I'll give you gold membership for life if you can find that act happen within the last year.
Are you actually questioning that these kinds of atrocities don't go on in various third world countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, subsets of Africa and South America etc.)? I'm not saying it is anything specific to schools but mass murder of children is not something that doesn't happen frequently in the world. America isn't the only country in existence. Anyways, the point is that humans are terrible creatures and this kind of appalling behavior is a testament to how messed up this species has become but it shouldn't come as a surprise that people do these things.
 
  • #17


WannabeNewton said:
America isn't the only country in existence.

My vote and voice doesn't count in other countries. Obviously I am focused on the American culture at the moment.
 
  • #18


WannabeNewton said:
Are you actually questioning that these kinds of atrocities don't go on in various third world countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, subsets of Africa and South America etc.)? I'm not saying it is anything specific to schools but mass murder of children is not something that doesn't happen frequently in the world. America isn't the only country in existence. Anyways, the point is that humans are terrible creatures and this kind of appalling behavior is a testament to how messed up this species has become but it shouldn't come as a surprise that people do these things.
I am glad I am not desensitized to events like this regardless of how "common" they may be. I try to put myself in one of those parents shoes: Go home, see presents under Christmas tree, never to be opened by anyone, plan funeral instead. I really just can't comprehend how I would be able to deal with something like this if it was my child. I can't wait to get home tonight and hug my kids, they are in for a very hard embrace...
 
  • #19


IMP said:
...
I just don't understand how he could kill an entire classroom full of elementary children. Seriously, if you can't take it anymore then get yourself out of the game but leave everyone else alone! I have heard of some cowardly acts but this one is just beyond words. There are 20+ parents who just got the worst news you could possibly receive, I can't even comprehend it...
You've said it better than I could. I can't comprehend how someone could do something like this to small children.
 
  • #20


Greg Bernhardt said:
Really!? Find me the last time a guy killed his mom, dad and 30 kids/adults at an elementary school. I'll give you gold membership for life if you can find that act happen within the last year.

The 1966 UT Austin Texas sniper did something similar. The conclusion was that he was suffering from a brain tumor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_sniper
 
  • #21


WannabeNewton said:
Humans are evil creatures

I strongly disagree with this. If this was true, we'd be praising this guy for killing so many evil creatures. People are fundamentally good, which is exactly why acts like this are so shocking.

I've decided that I don't want to know this guy's name. He doesn't deserve a name. Bacteria don't have individual names, and this guy is lower than that.
 
  • #22


Jack21222 said:
I strongly disagree with this. If this was true, we'd be praising this guy for killing so many evil creatures. People are fundamentally good, which is exactly why acts like this are so shocking.

I've decided that I don't want to know this guy's name. He doesn't deserve a name. Bacteria don't have individual names, and this guy is lower than that.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=653470
 
  • #23


In China today someone killed 22 children with a KNIFE.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20723910

http://news.yahoo.com/knife-wielding-man-injures-22-children-china-064458804.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=DTN+China:
 
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  • #24


Greg Bernhardt said:
Really!? Find me the last time a guy killed his mom, dad and 30 kids/adults at an elementary school. I'll give you gold membership for life if you can find that act happen within the last year.

Well he didn't kill his parents as far as I can read so far but its close enough:

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/knifewielding-villager-attacks-22-children-in-chinese-village-3325907.html

E: Didn't see the post above before I posted.
 
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  • #25


czelaya said:
In China today someone killed 22 children with a KNIFE.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20723910

http://news.yahoo.com/knife-wielding-man-injures-22-children-china-064458804.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=DTN+China:
Those children were injured - not killed. Doesn't make it any less serious but, the parents of those children will get to see their kids again.
 
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  • #26


czelaya said:
In China today someone killed 22 children with a KNIFE.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20723910

http://news.yahoo.com/knife-wielding-man-injures-22-children-china-064458804.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=DTN+China:
No, they were wounded, not killed, only 2 seriously wounded, that's the difference between a knife and a gun, fatalities.
 
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  • #27


WannabeNewton said:
Are you actually questioning that these kinds of atrocities don't go on in various third world countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, subsets of Africa and South America etc.)? I'm not saying it is anything specific to schools but mass murder of children is not something that doesn't happen frequently in the world. America isn't the only country in existence. Anyways, the point is that humans are terrible creatures and this kind of appalling behavior is a testament to how messed up this species has become but it shouldn't come as a surprise that people do these things.

I've seen very well written posts by you in the past, with thoughtfulness & sensible logic. However you comment here...simply out of context.

This isn't about some third world country governed via violence & fear. It is not how things are done here.If there was ever a "Good" reason for a public stoning...it's preventing this from ever happening again. (please America do not put armed guards in PS)
 
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  • #28


When I look at these events, I see all the suffering and grief that will come as the survivors and families try understand why. Now with the gunman dead they won't have to endure the trial, the pain and frustration that comes with it. At the same time, they will be unable to even vent their anger and it may come out atanyone who says something insensitive.

http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/blogs/offering-support-bereaved-what-not-say

There may even be some members of this forum who will be so affected and I can only hope we will be there for them.
 
  • #29


IMP said:
They just released his name, apparently he killed his father in New Jersey, went to Newtown killed his mother who worked at the elementary school (which so far is the only connection they have found between him and the school). Then he went to the school...

According to cnn.com now, it's his brother (not his father) who's dead in NJ, and he killed his mother at the school.
 
  • #30


WannabeNewton said:
Are you actually questioning that these kinds of atrocities don't go on in various third world countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, subsets of Africa and South America etc.)? I'm not saying it is anything specific to schools but mass murder of children is not something that doesn't happen frequently in the world. America isn't the only country in existence. Anyways, the point is that humans are terrible creatures and this kind of appalling behavior is a testament to how messed up this species has become but it shouldn't come as a surprise that people do these things.

Please everyone stop now! This is not a time to debate.
 
  • #31


They've just said, 20 children, 6 adults and the shooter at the school, and one person at the family home. For some reason the official law enforcement official refuses to even confirm the shooters name even though the information has already been all over the news.

Oh, they are now saying that the shooter may actually be the brother Adam Lanza, and Ryan Lanza was a victim.
 
  • #32


I swear, if this turns out to be some lunatic claiming that he was saving these kids from the upcoming "end of days" I will absolutely lose my $h/t.
 
  • #33
Apparently the killers girlfriend and another friend are missing, I wouldn't be surprised if they find a trail of dead before this is over...

source http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/14/police-respond-to-shooting-at-connecticut-elementary-school/
 
  • #34


Now they are saying that the brother Ryan Lanza is alive and is being questioned. Ryan Lanza was first wrongly identified as the killer. The killer was 20 year old Adam Lanza.
 
  • #35


Evo said:
Now they are saying that the brother Ryan Lanza is alive and is being questioned. Ryan Lanza was first wrongly identified as the killer. The killer was 20 year old Adam Lanza.

Grief, that is a clear example of why you don't leak names so early, if at all.
 
  • #36


The police don't want to release names at the moment, partly not to give out wrong information. Also, they are trying to track down evidence, e.g., bank records, or transactions, online accounts, and they don't want someone deleting evidence. This is what I gathered from state police statements.

My wife is a teaching assistant at a local elementary school, and the staff are distressed to say the least. Such an event hits very close to home.

I grieve for the parents who lost their children, siblings who lost a brother or sister, students who lost a friend, and families, teachers and staff affected by this.
 
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  • #37


IMP said:
PLEASE don't use this tragic event to further your opinion of guns laws. This is not the time or place.

Out of respect for your and another poster's sensitivities on just such a discussion, I will not express an opinion on gun laws. However, I do wish to ask, isn't now exactly the time such a discussion should take place?
 
  • #38


Like George Carlin said, it's just another example of extreme human behavior.

We are all capable of it potentially and understanding this one fact would change a lot about how we not see the world but ourselves.

I'd personally rather not do anything like this due the consequences of such actions, but some people do for various reasons and if anything positive can be gotten out of this situation, it would be getting the real honest to god unfiltered intent on why this happened.

The answer may not be one that people would want to hear let alone agree with, but at least it would provide an understanding to aid in getting to the core of the problem rather than trying to put a band-aid on a gun-shot wound.

Unsurprisingly digging deeper into these kinds of issues (like what psychologists, some psychiatrists, and other investigators do) does bring some of the intent (i.e. the why) to the surface and we should be supporting this regardless of the message from the killer to build a society that doesn't repeat the mistakes of the past.

I hope the parents and families of these children get through all of this.
 
  • #39


WannabeNewton said:
Anyways, the point is that humans are terrible creatures and this kind of appalling behavior is a testament to how messed up this species has become but it shouldn't come as a surprise that people do these things.
You're speaking in too generalized terms. People are able to do horrible things, but the vast majority doesn't go out murdering and severely traumatizing other people's children.

The event is truly heartbreaking.
 
  • #40


Hlafordlaes said:
However, I do wish to ask, isn't now exactly the time such a discussion should take place?
No, it isn't. This is the time when people are least rational and decisions should be based on rational thoughts.
 
  • #41


This is a dreadful event, and my condolences to all Americans in general.
 
  • #42


He had semi-automatic weapons with high capacity extended clips, an assualt rifle and a bullet proof vest. There is no reason why any civilian should be allowed to buy any these things. These can all be banned without banning guns for those that fear living without one. These are separate issues.
 
  • #43


Whoever he got the guns from needs to be locked up and whoever knew anything about this beforehand needs to be locked up.
 
  • #44


Evo said:
He had semi-automatic weapons with high capacity extended clips, an assualt rifle and a bullet proof vest. There is no reason why any civilian should be allowed to buy any these things. These can all be banned without banning guns for those that fear living without one. These are separate issues.
Back in Britain in the 19'th century, arsenic was freely sold as rat poison and insecticide.
In the 1840s and early 50s, there was a string of poisoning cases (from 1843-52, 17 out of 22 women hanged had been found guilty of arsenic poisoning), and a Sale of Arsenic Bill was passed in 1851 to regulate the trade.

It was not necessarily an irrational action from the Victorians to do so, but quite possibly a sensible one.
http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/arsenic.htm
 
  • #45


I don't think a law can be written that would prevent someone capable of trapping little children in a room and killing them one at a time from doing so without people close to the situation taking action to prevent the act. IMO -we need to find out what triggered their actions, determine if they were somehow de-sensitized, investigate how and when they obtained weapons and gear, and re-search how they were not identified in advance or if they were - what has the breakdown?
 
  • #46


Evo said:
He had semi-automatic weapons with high capacity extended clips, an assualt rifle and a bullet proof vest. There is no reason why any civilian should be allowed to buy any these things. These can all be banned without banning guns for those that fear living without one. These are separate issues.

Well, almost every gun is semi-automatic, it's the high capacity clips that are the problem in your example. Semi-automatic just means you don't need to manually reload after every shot like a musket.
 
  • #48


leroyjenkens said:
Whoever he got the guns from needs to be locked up and whoever knew anything about this beforehand needs to be locked up.

He got the guns from his mother after (or before) killing her :-/
 
  • #49


Let's not derail the thread with crackpot and doomsday scenarios. Such posts will be deleted.
 

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