NEWTOWN, CONN. - Officials with knowledge of the mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School are now reporting that 27 people, including 18 children, have been shot dead.
The shooting ended with the gunman also dead, authorities said.
The shooter apparently had two guns, a person with knowledge of the shooting said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still under way.
A dispatcher at the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps said a teacher had been shot in the foot and taken to Danbury Hospital. Andrea Rynn, a spokeswoman at the hospital, said it had three patients from the school, but she did not have information on the extent or nature of their injuries.
The tragic scene shook this quiet community, with parents arriving in droves shortly after the 9:40 a.m. incident - most not knowing if their children were safe.
Mergim Bajraliu, a Newton High School student who rushed to the scene to ensure his fourth-grade sister was safe, said the first thing he saw was a state trooper carrying a little girl from the building.
"She was limp," Bajrliu said. "She was not moving. Her face was pale."
His sister Vanessa, however, was safe. She said she was in her classroom when police came in and instructed the class "to close our eyes and hold hands so the teacher could lead us outside."
Brenda Lebinski, whose 8-year-old daughter attends the school, was among the parents who raced to check on their children.
"I saw her and it was the happiest moment of my life," she said.
Stephen Delgiadice said his 8-year-old daughter heard two big bangs and teachers told her to get in a corner. His daughter was not harmed.
"It's alarming, especially in Newtown, Connecticut, which we always thought was the safest place in America," he said.
Lisa Terifay, who was holding her two children outside the school, said she was stunned.
"I still can't believe it's happened in my town," she said.
Connecticut's governor was on the scene in Newtown. The White House said President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting and was receiving updates.
The school superintendent's office says the district has locked down schools to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The shooting was reported at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, in western Connecticut. State police say Newtown police called them at about 9:40 a.m. about the reports.
Sandy Hook is a section of Newtown and is very quiet. The school is hidden down a side street and is not visible from the road.
State police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance says they have a number of personnel on the scene to assist.
Michelle McAloon of Sandy Hook has children who go to St. Rose of Lima School. One of her kids is home sick and the other is on lockdown at the Catholic school, she said. All schools in the district are on lockdown.
"I am just horrified that this could be happening in our town," said McAloon. "I am scared for our friends and neighbors who have children or family in Sandy Hook schools."
Parents and neighbors have taken to social media sites expressing their fear and concern. Even those who do not live in Newtown are saying this tragedy is "too close to home."
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