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Newtown mass shooting 911 recordings released Newtown mass shooting 911 recordings released
(35 minutes later)
Authorities have released emergency dispatch recordings of last year's school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 26 people dead. Authorities have released emergency tapes of callers pleading for police help amid gunfire as last year's school shooting unfolded in Connecticut.
The tapes contain nearly half an hour of 911 calls made from inside Sandy Hook Elementary School amid the attack on 14 December 2012. The recordings contain nearly half an hour of 911 calls made from inside Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, amid the attack on 14 December 2012.
In some of the tapes, gunshots is audible in the background as callers plead for police to come. "There's still shooting going on, please!" says school caretaker Rick Thorne. "Still, it's still going on!"
Attacker Adam Lanza killed 20 children and six adults at the primary school.Attacker Adam Lanza killed 20 children and six adults at the primary school.
Residents were earlier advised to prepare themselves emotionally for the release of the calls. Callers to Newtown police that morning ranged from remarkably calm to panicked.
'Emotional trigger' 'Get everyone down there'
Newtown School Superintendent John Reed reportedly contacted parents on Tuesday to alert them to the impending distribution of the recordings, warning them the tapes could act as an "emotional trigger". The call from the janitor, Mr Thorne, lasts for several minutes, during which time six or seven shots can be heard in the background.
The emergency recordings are being made public just days after a state judge ruled the tapes should be unsealed. An emergency dispatcher can be heard telling someone off the line to "get everyone you can going down there".
One woman told emergency services that she had seen a gunman shooting inside the building.
"I caught a glimpse of somebody," she says. "They're running down the hallway. Oh, they're still running and still shooting. Sandy Hook school, please."
Newtown School Superintendent John Reed contacted parents on Tuesday to alert them to the impending distribution of the recordings, warning them the tapes could act as an "emotional trigger".
The recordings were made public just days after a state judge ruled the tapes should be unsealed.
State's Attorney Stephen Sedensky, the prosecutor overseeing the shooting investigation, and town officials had argued the tapes' release could hamper the inquiry and violate victims' rights.State's Attorney Stephen Sedensky, the prosecutor overseeing the shooting investigation, and town officials had argued the tapes' release could hamper the inquiry and violate victims' rights.
But Mr Sedensky said he would not pursue the effort further following the court ruling.But Mr Sedensky said he would not pursue the effort further following the court ruling.
The first call to emergency services came at 09:35 and the last shot, believed to be Lanza firing a handgun at himself, came at 09:40. Most of the deceased were killed in two classrooms.The first call to emergency services came at 09:35 and the last shot, believed to be Lanza firing a handgun at himself, came at 09:40. Most of the deceased were killed in two classrooms.
A report into the investigation was released last week, in which police determined that Lanza, 20, acted alone.A report into the investigation was released last week, in which police determined that Lanza, 20, acted alone.
They have not determined a motive for the massacre, which began with Lanza killing his own mother.They have not determined a motive for the massacre, which began with Lanza killing his own mother.
The report stated: "He had a familiarity with and access to firearms and ammunition and an obsession with mass murders, in particular the April 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado."The report stated: "He had a familiarity with and access to firearms and ammunition and an obsession with mass murders, in particular the April 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado."
The Newtown shooting prompted a renewed US campaign for stricter firearms controls.The Newtown shooting prompted a renewed US campaign for stricter firearms controls.
While no legislation was passed at a national level, some states - including Connecticut and Colorado - imposed tougher gun laws; other states loosened such restrictions.While no legislation was passed at a national level, some states - including Connecticut and Colorado - imposed tougher gun laws; other states loosened such restrictions.