School Shooting:Multiple Deaths in Lancaster, PA Amish School, Shooter Kills Self

Fox News Alert ^ | 02 OCT 06

[Toespi]

To be real honest, I was appalled when heard that a teacher left and ran from the school. BUT, we have no idea of the circumstances and can think of all kinds of scenarios that could have been unfolding along with panic. But it is clear that her presence in that room was not going to save those kids.

[La Enchiladita]

The zip code for Nickel Mines, PA is 17562. That should help.

That helps! Thank you.

[.308 PSS]

Damn I wish the sniper would have took this fellow out before he killed those innocent girls.

They need to start locking doors at schools...this is getting out of hand! This fellow broke in, but others have came right in through open doors. Resource officers or teachers need to be at every entrance and exit making sure people that enter are supposed to be there. Fences need to be installed around entire school with a dual gates to keep people off the premises.

[truthluva]

"It seems as though he wanted to attack young, female victims," Miller said. He released no further details about that what the grudge Roberts mentioned could have involved.

Coward! How does a grown man have a grudge against little girls who weren't even born 20 years ago!

[New Girl]

I don't think TXBubba should have been flamed and zotted off the thread. Why is not okay to simply wonder why the teachers left the room? I think it is important to talk about situations like this and what one might do considering the apparent increase in this kind of violence. Remember that kid last week, the one who lied and said he stayed behind with the girls in room at the school in CO. The mother said her son lied because he wanted for it to be true. Maybe that kid is now haunted by leaving the room. Who knows? When Sean Hannity said people "eat their own" on this board, he might have been right.

[LibertyRocks]

The AP is reporting that the Lancaster County Coroner has confirmed at least 6 people are dead. Prayers of comfort for all affected by this senseless tragedy.

VIDEO: “CORONER: SIX DEAD IN AMISH SCHOOL SHOOTING” - Associated Press (AP) - Lancaster Online - Lancaster Newspapers - Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US - 2 October 2006

[jacquej]

The Amish in our area select the smartest female, usually in their later teens, to teach their children. These girls are not prepared in any way to deal with such a situation.

The children are very well schooled, by the way. Their 8th grade is equivalent to our high school, except perhaps in math and science. The level of math they do have is excellent, just not advanced, like calculus...

It is important to understand that Amish communities vary in their strictness and adherence to rules. Some are very strict, and some less so, regarding the use of modern technologies.

For example, they may use certain tools, like automatic nailers, if they are "working out" for us English, as carpenters. But, they may not use these when building for themselves.

We work with them, and they are honest, trusting, and generous people, who go out of their way to be kind to everyone. Unfortunately, they are frequently taken advantage of by the unscrupulous "English". and it is true that some locals are actually hostile toward them, primarily because of their work ethic, I think....

[Talking_Mouse]

If one of those girls had been my little 6 year old being tied up and I walked out on her in the scariest time of her life that would be a living hell for the rest of my life.

Do you honestly think that these teachers are NOT going to go through hell for the rest of their lives thinking "What if I had stayed?"

Most of the adults that left had their own babies (infants) in their arms. The teachers aide was obviously pregnant, which makes it physically difficult to jump someone, center of gravity is different than normal, weight shifting is different than normal. For both these groups (mothers with infants in arms and pregnant women) there is a psychological/genetic imperative that kicks in, in times of stress/danger that says "Save my child -- the most important thing in the world is to save my child".

The teacher, who normally within the Amish community, will be an unmarried female, is young. She, yes, could have stayed. However she had very little time to make the decision and, most probably, felt that obeying the man with the gun was the safest way to safeguard the children. As soon as she was out she did what we are all taught to do -- go for the police, so she called 911. I hope that the community will watch this woman closely in the coming weeks. She may feel that this was in some way her fault, for not staying, and attempt suicide

You say you would never leave your 6 yr old, and as a mother that is a very normal reaction for your child. However, if you thought (and you probably have less than 20 seconds to make this choice) that obeying a dangerous man with a gun orders to leave might SAVE someone else' child you very well might leave.

[Toespi]

Just heard on MSNBC that he was up for a drug test today, not sure what that means.

[Mr. Noodle]

Thanks fro the article. Very interesting.

It said he's 32 and his wife said he's upset at something that happened to him 20 yearsx ago. I wonder what happened between him and the Amish when he was 12.

[Quix]

Some evil sorts loathe decency and morality because it is so foreign and unreachable to them, supposedly.

[bonfire]

The state police who did the presser said he did not think there was a connection to the Amish school...just that it was convenient to carry out his revenge. I'm not sure I buy that yet.

[Rte66]

The coroner has retracted that statement once again. He originally said six dead, then changed it to four, then to five - the 3 girls and the gunman in the school and one more died at the hospital.

That could have changed again, but all the latest are saying 5.

[kjam22]

You say you would never leave your 6 yr old, and as a mother that is a very normal reaction for your child. However, if you thought (and you probably have less than 20 seconds to make this choice) that obeying a dangerous man with a gun orders to leave might SAVE someone else' child you very well might leave.

That's a rational thought... but I doubt it was the factor. I'd guess the techer left because of fear. That's just my guess.

[Religion Moderator]

Treat this thread like an obituary or prayer thread for the children and their loved ones. Theories and finger pointing should be saved for other threads - and I'm sure there'll be plenty of them.

[NoExpectations]

I heard on Fox that this was a routine drug test for truck driving purposes -- no criminal/drug history.

[Quix]

I'm in favor of lots of methods to protect children.

I'd even be in favor, if a responsible male child or perhaps even female used to handling guns . . . arm the most responsible student as well as the teacher--concealed.

[ohioWfan]

TXbubba was not 'flamed.'

She was asked to stop blaming the teacher by many people and continued to do so.

That's why the zot. It was a good call.

[dirtboy]

Why is not okay to simply wonder why the teachers left the room?

Please ... give ... the ... subject ... a ... rest. You weren't there.