Shooter in Newtown school massacre had weapons and ammo galore, officials say
The deceased suspect in the massacre of six educators and 20 first-graders at a Connecticut elementary school last year was armed with a Bushmaster semiautomatic rifle and two semiautomatic handguns, which he used to fire over 150 rounds in less than five minutes, according to search warrants made public Thursday and information from officials.
The weapons belonged to Adam Lanza’s mother, Nancy, 52, who was the first to die in his Dec. 14 shooting spree, apparently shot while asleep in bed, according to CNN, the News Times and the New York Times (reg. req.).
There was also a loaded 12-gauge shotgun in the vehicle Adam Lanza drove to the school and various rifles, knives and samurai swords, as well as 1,600 rounds of ammunition, in the Newton home the 20-year-old shared with his mother. A holiday card to the son included a check signed by his mother apparently intended to be used for the purchase of a firearm for him.
The Los Angeles Times provides links to the five search warrants (one for the 2010 Honda Civic that Lanza drove to the school and four for the home).
Dansbury State’s Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III issued a lengthy written statement when the warrants were made public Thursday, notes USA Today.
An investigation by state police continues and is expected to be finished in June. Lanza’s motive for the slayings is unknown. He reportedly had Asperger’s sydrome, which is not in and of itself associated with violence but may result in odd behavior and difficulty interacting with others that can make its victims targets of bullying.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Gun Control Debate Gains Traction as Obama Appoints Task Force in Wake of Conn. School Slayings”
