Layout:
Home > Shock and dismay for my hometown

Shock and dismay for my hometown

December 14th, 2012 at 10:37 pm

Today, my hometown made national headlines, for all the wrong reasons.

A local elementary school here was the scene of the latest lone gunman gone berserk. Twenty-seven people died this morning, most of them little kids.

I worked all day at the p/t job I've been at for less than a month. I absolutely could not believe this happened here.

I was concerned about trouble getting home from work tonight, as i heard someone saying earlier in the day the police were doing car by car searches, but that was really in a different part of town and didn't affect me at all.

I am sure I will be hearing much more about this as the days go on. You probably know as much as I do at this point. A 20-year-old man is the suspect, and he shot and killed his mother, a teacher who worked at the school, as well as a bunch of other people, before he died.

As someone here was already quoted, "we thought this was the safest place in America."

UPDATES: A friend of mine told me this is going to hurt my property values, because people will forever link "Mytown" as the town where that awful massacre took place.

I don't know many people here with kids this age, although The Author has a young niece who worked as a teacher at that school. She had the day off yesterday but went in anyway and was there when everything happened. Luckily she is safe.

My friend R. is coming up this afternoon. He wants to see what is going on in town now and is stopping by to pick me up. There is national news media all over town, doing interviews at iconic landmarks around town. There was a prayer vigil at a church last night, and another one at the high school tomorrow.

Saturday update: The national news media has descended on our little town. As you approach Sandy Hook Center, which resembles a small hamlet, it's bumper to bumper traffic, and cars with lots of out of state plates are lined up parked on both sides of the road. Satellite trucks are everywhere, TV crews and reporters are interviewing people on the streets, cops still have the road leading to the school blocked off to traffic, but they're allowing people to go to the firehouse (not sure about the school) on foot. People are out walking with bouquets of flowers and impromptu memorials filled with votive candles are all over town. Someone bought 20 Christmas trees, 1 for each child, and set them up. Saturday mass at St. Rose is packed right now. A man was standing just off the interstate exit holding a sign that indicated he was from some town in NJ and that they support us. Other signs just said "Say a prayer." You can tell who the press is becus for some reason they all seem to dress in all black. It's all very sad.

I heard a few reports that the shooter was some sort of troubled genius, which makes me very angry. They shouldn't be turning him into any kind of figure that others would emulate or we'll have copy cat killers who harbor sick fantasies about becoming famous before they go out. Obviously this was a sick individual. No one in their right mind would hurt an innocent child.

16 Responses to “Shock and dismay for my hometown”

  1. LuckyRobin Says:
    1355525268

    That is horrifying. Going after children is the worst thing I can imagine as a parent. It is so scary to have something like that happen in your home town. (((HUGS)))

  2. Petunia 100 Says:
    1355525336

    Patient Saver, people here were talking about this today. What a horrible tragedy for all involved. Frown

  3. NJDebbie Says:
    1355525862

    I'm so sick to my stomach about what this monster did! We all should be in mourning.

  4. ceejay74 Says:
    1355525870

    I'm so distraught over this. I came home from a sweet, adorable holiday luncheon at my kids' daycare, carrying all the cute handmade gifts my toddler helped make for her parents, went on Facebook and knew something horrific had happened from everyone's comments. When I found out what it was I sobbed for about an hour. So glad I was alone. I'm feeling calmer as long as I don't think about it too much. The poor kids, the poor parents and teachers, our poor country that can't control guns or get help for the mentally ill. It's all too heartbreaking and enraging and hopeless. I hope everyone you know in your hometown is alive and well. *hugs* I'm so sorry this happened so close to home for you.

  5. snafu Says:
    1355527998

    We were incredibly saddened by the events in Newtown, CT. The President said it so well, 'our hearts are broken.' Heartfelt condolences to all who live in Newton and the families and friends of those who have been bereaved.

  6. MonkeyMama Says:
    1355528515

    Horrific and unimaginable. I can't even wrap my brain around the consequences, from the sheer number of people grieving a beloved child, to the trauma the survivors face. how one act can devastate so many lives. Frown
    I just wonder how all these poor families will cope.

  7. cheapiepoo Says:
    1355529611

    Very sad and horrendous. This is a very troubled world we are living in.

  8. Shiela Says:
    1355531406

    I woke up to this news this morning, it's absolutely terrible.
    Why?

  9. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1355536430

    I am so sorry this hit so close to home (literally) for you. Today I was sitting in the entranceway of Wal-Mart waiting for my co-worker and started reading one of the more up to date articles. I could only get about half-way through before realizing that I'd better wait to finish it til I was in the privacy of my own home. Bawling in public isn't the most accepted social behavior.

    I just can't understand how someone can look into the sweet face of a Kinder and .. pull a trigger! Frown

  10. PauletteGoddard Says:
    1355539774

    You are not alone in shock and dismay. People the world over who have read the headlines share sorrow, including me.

  11. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1355541764

    Our entire nation is heartbroken over this senseless, tragic act. There simply arent words to express how devastating this is...I am sorry it hit so close to home...and wish with all my being that there were someway to stop the madness behind these tragedies. Those poor families..I cant even begin to imagine.

  12. PNW Mom Says:
    1355546631

    I have just been in disbelief all day. No words, no words at all

  13. dmontngrey Says:
    1355580370

    Oh my... it never dawned on me this could hit so close to home for you. Frown Yes, still in shock over this. Unthinkable. I spoke to one of my company's employees yesterday (we have a lot of employees in CT) and he lives the next town over. He said he knows a lot of people in Newtown and his friend is the police chief. Just so sad and impossible to understand.

  14. Ima saver Says:
    1355595869

    I am so sorry that this happened.

  15. EarlyRetirementJoy Says:
    1355596556

    I've been struggling with this nonstop as you all have. This is what I'm taking away from it though - there was unbelievable bravery, love and care exhibited by the teachers as they fought to protect their students. There was love and care exhibited by the community, the first responders and the families of those whose children came out without harm. I saw and read of the many, many families around the US, likely the world, that rushed home to embrace their loved ones. I am absolutely humbled by the outpouring of love and care I am seeing, and I can only hope it takes root and grows in the days ahead.

    I know I am committed to becoming a better, more loving person in the advent of this tragedy. I also feel compelled to throw my weight behind political changes I believe need to occur as a result of this tragedy. I'll refrain from being specific, because that's not important per se - feeling compelled to work for positive change is what is important.

    Why insanity exists I know not. I just know that it does. There is tremendous good that can come out of insanity if we allow it. I'm trying hard, so very hard, to let it's positive power unfold in my own life as a result. Best wishes to you all.

  16. Looking Forward Says:
    1355598689

    So sorry for you, your town and the whole country. I cry everytime I hear or think of this awful event. Frown

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]