School psychologist Mary Sherlach, 56, was killed during an attempt to stop gunman Adam Lanza during the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Sherlach and school principal Dawn Hochsprung reportedly both lunged at Lanza in an attempt to protect the school#39;s students and teachers. Both Sherlach and Hochsprung were killed. All the victims of the Connecticut elementary school shooting were killed up close by multiple rifle shots, a medical examiner said. Dr.
Lauren Rousseau, 30, had started a job as a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School this fall. She was killed in the Dec. 14 shooting at the school. All the victims of the Connecticut elementary school shooting were killed up close by multiple rifle shots, a medical examiner said. Dr. H. Wayne Carver said at a news conference Saturday the deaths are classified as homicides. He said he believes “everybody was hit more than once.” “This is a very devastating set of injuries,” Carver
In this handout image provided by ABC News, shows Nancy J. Lanza mother of suspected mass shooter Adam Lanza at an unspecified time and place. Twenty six people were shot dead, including twenty children, after a gunman identified as Adam Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Lanza also reportedly had committed suicide at the scene. A 28th person, believed to be Nancy Lanza was found dead in a house in town, was also believed to have been shot by Adam Lanza. All the victims of the
This 2012 photo provided by the family shows Emilie Alice Parker. Parker was killed Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, when a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Conn., killing 26 children and ad ults at the school. All the victims of the Connecticut elementary school shooting were killed up close by multiple rifle shots, a medical examiner said. Dr. H. Wayne Carver said at a news conference Saturday the deaths are classified as homicides. He said he believes “everybody was hit
The horrific shooting at the Newtown, Conn., elementary school that left 28 dead, including 20 children, has re-ignited a polarizing debate over gun control. If nothing else, it’s time to get very, very serious about discussing the issue. Public figures immediately jumped in to offer condolences in the wake of the mass murder committed by Adam Lanza , while some called for new restrictions. Plenty of others, while clearly sympathetic to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, defended gun rights and the 2nd Amendment. President Barack Obama, who cried during a press conference regarding the shooting Friday, did not touch upon the controversial issue of gun control by name. He did, though, sound a call to prevent further tragedies, regardless of politics. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was “shocked and saddened” by the tragic shooting. He said society should “unify” to “crack down on the guns.” N.Y. City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said “immediate action” was needed. Mark Kelly, husband of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was gravely injured by a gunman in Tucson in 2011, wrote on Facebook: “The children of Sandy Hook Elementary School and all victims of gun violence deserve leaders who have the courage to participate in a meaningful discussion about gun laws.” “How can they be reformed and enforced to prevent violence and death in America?” Many believe the CT school shooting tragedy is just the latest, preventable case of a bullied, disgrunted and/or mentally ill person taking lives that could’ve been saved. Directly or indirectly, are guns too readily available to the perpetrators? Fewer guns, tougher laws, fewer tragedies, right? Take away the availability and fewer weapons will fall into the wrong hands at the wrong times. Right? Lots of people would agree with that theory, but not necessarily a majority. The debate has been fast and furious in the past 24 hours, and not one-sided. Trending topics on Twitter included “2nd Amendment,” “NRA” and “Columbine.” For every argument about the 2nd Amendment being antiquated is a counter-argument about its necessity, and its place in the foundation of American liberty. Some gun rights advocates believe this tragedy epitomizes the need for gun rights , not gun control, as a means of protection against those who may act violently. One Twitter user wrote, “The only gun reform we need is to allow people the ability to defend themselves, not provide nut jobs with easy targets #NRA.” Another posted, “Guns don’t kill people people do! Practice the 2nd Amendment – keep your gun loaded with you at all times – the younger you are the better.” Philosophically, gun rights activists feel that gun control takes away another piece of our liberty, starting a slippery slope toward socialism and totalitarianism. From a practical standpoint, they argue that criminals will always find a way to obtain guns, and that only law-abiding citizens would abide by regulations anyway. Furthermore, they feel crimes are just as often prevented by the deterrent of gun possession, and a dangerous black market would develop in the event of tougher laws. In light of recent events, and the arguments above, what do you think? Comment and vote below: Is it time to pass major gun control laws? YES. Fewer guns, fewer tragedies! NO. It’s unconstitutional and won’t stop anything! View Poll »
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., left a nation in shock Friday afternoon after Adam Lanza gunned down 27 people, 20 of them children. Hollywood Tweeted up a storm in response, sharing love, condolences, prayers and heartbreak, but also anger, disgust and frustration in many cases. The Connecticut school shooting has once again raised debate about gun control and thrust it into the spotlight, as some of their Twitter reactions show: Demi Lovato: “Just in shock. WHAT is wrong with this world sometimes? Right before Christmas? My thoughts and prayers go out to Newton, CT.” Miley Cyrus: “Why does this happen? Why do bad things happen to such good people… Especially young ones. Sending blessings to CT.” Ian Somerhalder: “We are sad. Our hearts, thoughts & help are w/ you. Im so sorry to all affected by this. So sorry. May all the love in the world hug you in this time.” Kourtney Kardashian: “If this tragedy doesn’t change something in this country regarding guns…I just want to scream and cry. Deeply saddened. Praying.” Kim Kardashian: “In total shock over the school shooting in Ct!… What has this world come to…These kids come to school to learn, never expecting this tragedy to happen. They didn’t deserve this. Praying for everyone involved!” Lindsay Lohan: “This is absolutely horrifying. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families in Newton, CT. So unbelievably sad.” Ashton Kutcher: “Overwhelming feelings of sadness for something so senseless. My heart goes out to those in Connecticut.” Jessica Alba: “This is just awful. My heart goes out 2 all affected… So sad.” Zooey Deschanel: “I am filled with sadness in the wake of the sandy hook school tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all in Newtown, Connecticut.” Blake Shelton: “Stand strong and stand united everyone… We are Americans and we are better than this. What a sad sad disgusting day this is…My heart is so heavy right now… I can’t shake it off.” Kristin Chenoweth: “Our hearts are broken for you, Newtown.” Joe Jonas: “This is such sad news. Heart is broken for the children and their families.” Jordin Sparks: “Those precious children…I will never understand the evil in this world. On my knees praying for those families. I am in tears.” Susan Sarandon: “How much more suffering & loss will it take before we better regulate the sale of arms in our country? Let @NRA know how you feel.” Michelle Branch: “Gun control people!!! My heart is breaking. As a parent this is my worst nightmare.” Mia Farrow: “Gun control is no longer debatable- it’s not a ‘conversation’- It’s a moral mandate.” Dax Shepard: “I love guns. I have several, but I would gladly get rid of them if it would help prevent anything like this from happening again.” Christina Applegate: “There are just no words. Only sorrow. We are all shedding tears today for those families.” Bethenny Frankel: “These poor parents probably have Christmas presents for these poor babies. I can’t stop crying.” Maria Shriver: “My heart is breaking as this story unfolds. Let’s start a #circleofprayer for the children and their families.” Jennifer Hudson: “Yal, we need to pray! This can’t keep happening . My mama always said ‘ if u think you’ve seen it all just keep on living’.” Ashley Greene: “Some things are just bigger than me and impossible for me to understand. My thoughts and prayers are with the families in Connecticut.” Snoop Dogg: “Sending love 2 the families in Connecticut for their tragic loss. 2day I bow my head in sadness.” Josh Groban: “My heart is crushed with the news of this shooting.” Katharine McPhee: “I’m so saddened over the shootings in CT. In light of such an evil act, #PrayForNewton.” Kevin Bacon: “Just sick about the news from CT. Sending love to all those families.” Brooke Burke-Charvet: “Unfathomable news in Connecticut. I have no words. Holiday spirit just got sucked out of me. I’m sick..” Lea Michele: “There are no words to express the sadness of this unthinkable tragedy. Sending my prayers to the families in Newton CT.” Ben Stiller: “Shocked and saddened by what happened today in Connecticut. We have to stop the access to guns in our country.” Missi Pyle: “We should NOT STOP SCREAMING about this until we have better laws on GUN CONTROL. We have power. Lets DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!” Sarah Silverman: “Band-Aids-on-Band-Aids @NRA people want MORE access to guns to combat all the people w access to guns.” Piers Morgan: “This is now President Obama’s biggest test – will he have the courage to stand up to the American gun lobby?” Chrissy Teigen: “it’s too easy for a monster to get a gun. solution: NO ONE GETS GUNS. sorry if this is an inconvenience for your complete need to have one.” Michael Moore: “The way to honor these dead children is to demand strict gun control, free mental health care, and an end to violence as public policy.” John Stamos: “Soulless coward pulls trigger, children die, officials express regret and then what -we wait for the next shooting? how do we stop this?” Questlove: “ok so….is now that time to have ‘the conversation’?” Rashida Jones: “Gun control is our only road to freedom. Freedom from the fear of senselessly losing children. I’m so saddened. WE NEED LAWS NOW…Gun loversare the first to remind you this should be a ‘day of mourning’. How about we mourn & make it harder to get guns on the same day?…Thanks, gun lovers, for all your hateful tweets. Good reminder of another endemic nat’l issue:a lack of humanity, civility & accountability.” Flea: “No civilians should be allowed to have guns. none…and i dont thinkthe cops should have guns either…change the constitution…and makequality mental health care free…god blessthe children…in many countries the cops have no guns and they do perfectly fine…peace and love to all…heartbreaking…the depth of sadness.” What do you think: Time for major gun control legislation? YES. Fewer guns, fewer tragedies! NO. It’s unconstitutional and won’t stop anything! View Poll »
And then there were three, each representing a different demographic. One group remains on The X Factor . Can Fifth Harmony take home the grand prize? One young lady is still standing. Will Carly Rose Sonenclar be the final one? And one country artist is hoping to wear the crown. Does Tate Stevens have a strong chance? Catch up on the entire season via or X Factor videos section and weigh in now: Who will win it all? Fifth Harmony Tate Stevens Carly Rose Sonenclar View Poll »
Tom Cruise will not be walking the red carpet in Pittsburgh tonight. Paramount has announced that it’s delayed the official premiere of Jack Reacher in that city, out of respect for the unspeakable events of the Connecticut shooting in Newtown yesterday. Jack Reacher Trailer Said the studio in a statement: “Due to the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, and out of honor and respect for the families of the victims whose lives were senselessly taken, we are postponing tomorrow’s Pittsburgh premiere of ‘Jack Reacher.’ Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones.” New information continues to come in regarding the massacre, but Adam Lanza is believed to have shot and killed 27 people at Sandy Hook Elementary school, most of whom were children and teachers. Jack Reacher , meanwhile, was filmed in Pittsburgh and features Cruise as a violent character created by author Lee Child. It opens on December 21.
According to the Associated Press, the gunman is a 24-year-old man whose mother was a kindergarten teacher there. She was killed. An official said the gun used in the attacks was a .223-caliber rifle. A massive, deadly shooting broke out Friday morning at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., about 65 miles northeast of New York City. Of the 27 people confirmed dead, 20 are children – 18 were originally reported and now two more have perished at the hospital. “The shooter is dec
Louisiana meteorologist Rhonda Lee defended her short hair after being insulted on Facebook, only to be fired … and receive a groundswell of support online. A viewer took Lee, of Shreveport’s KTBS, to task October 1 for having short hair, rather than for any job-related issues. Lee, 37, responded in the comments. Instead of backing her up or deleting the offensive post, however, the network fired Lee , saying she had violated the company’s unofficial social media policy. Now, her fans are furious. Nearly 1,000 people have signed a petition asking that KTBS rehire Lee, saying she was victimized twice, once by the viewer “and again by KTBS.” “Rhonda Lee deserves to have her job back,” the petition reads. “Her eloquent response to the bigoted and sexist remarks of viewer Emmitt Vascocu were warranted.” “Employers such as KTBS-TV should stand by their employees and on-air talent whenever they are verbally attacked based on their looks, values or merit.” “I would never have dreamed in a million years that I would get all this support,” Lee told the Daily News. “It’s been a tough go at first to not be angry. But mostly I’m just sad. I genuinely loved where I worked. I loved my viewers. I made my home here.” For its part, KTBS says Lee “was not dismissed for her appearance or defending her appearance” but rather for the repeated violation of the company policy. “Unfortunately, television personalities have long been subject to harsh criticism and negative viewer comments about their appearance and performance,” the ABC affiliate said. “If harsh viewer comments are posted, there is a specific procedure to follow.” Rhonda Lee, however, says she never saw the policy in question, and that when she asked for it following her termination, higher-ups told her no. KTBS, on the other hand, says Lee received an email outlining the procedure, which states that it is “best not to respond at all” to viewer complaints. What did Lee write, and in response to what, exactly? “The black lady that does the news is a very nice lady. the onlt [sic] thing is she needs to wear a wig or grow some more hair,” wrote Emmitt Vascocu on October 1. “im not sure if she is a cancer patient. but its not something that i think looks good on tv.” Days later, when KTBS still hadn’t respond to the Facebook post on its page, Lee did. “Hello Emmitt I am the “black lady” to which you are referring. My name is Rhonda Lee. Nice to meet you,” she wrote on October 6, in the comments. “I am sorry you don’t like my ethnic hair. And no I don’t have cancer.” “I am very proud of my African-American ancestry which includes my hair. For your edification: traditionally our hair doesn’t grow downward. It grows upward.” “Many Black women use strong straightening agents in order to achieve a more European grade of hair and that is their choice. However in my case I don’t find it necessary.” “I’m very proud of who I am and the standard of beauty I display. As women we come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and levels of beauty.” “Showing little girls that being comfortable in the skin and HAIR God gave me is my contribution to society,” the TV personality concluded. “Little girls (and boys for that matter) growing up in this world need to see that what you look like isn’t a reason to not achieve their goals.”
