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McLachlan, a Republican member of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, tonight said he would work next year to close a loophole in state law banning assault weapons. He warned that current law allows  assault-style weapons manufactured prior to the state’s 1993 ban to be dismantled to recycle the part containing the gun’s serial number and rebuilt with modern parts that would otherwise fall under the existing assault weapons ban.

“I plan to submit a bill that seeks to correct this deficiency,” Sen. McLachlan said after he returned to the Capitol from the funeral mass for Caroline Phoebe Previdi, who was a first grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  “I never met Caroline, but her great-grandparents, Eugene and Phoebe Previdi, were special people in my life. Caroline, her family, classmates and the Newtown community paid a huge price for a madman’s terror. I hope and pray this heavy price produces changes in America. Let me be perfectly clear about the assault weapons ban: It will not stop the classroom carnage visited upon Sandy Hook. The madman’s weapon is not classified as an assault weapon. Should we study that classification during our upcoming civil discourse? Yes. Should we review the size of ammo magazines and consider the former federal limitations be enacted in Connecticut? Yes. Should we honor the Second Amendment during our deliberations? Absolutely. In addition to the gun control discussion, we need a serious discussion of mental health in America.  A civil discourse on this topic will tell us how to fix the challenges of access to mental health services and begin to address the stigma within our society that forces patients and their families to hide their affliction. A third area for debate is school security. In honor of Caroline Phoebe Previdi, I am searching for workable changes to keep our schools safe.  I’m sure Caroline Phoebe Previdi’s parents and grandparents will be holding us all accountable in the legislature to make a difference with a bipartisan approach to help prevent a repeat of this terrible tragedy.”

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STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE NEWTOWN SCHOOL SHOOTING

On 12/14/12, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Newtown Police received a 911 call reporting a possible shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School located at 12 Dickenson Drive in Newtown. Newtown Officers immediately responded and requested assistance from Connecticut State Police. Ssurrounding police agencies also sent assistance to the scene. Troopers, both on-duty and off-duty, responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, teams of Troopers and Officers formed “Active Shooter Teams” and immediately entered the school. Teams performed rescues of students and staff, removing them to a safe location as they searched for the shooting suspect within the building. The building was evacuated and students walked hand in hand out to a safe location.

Teams encountered several students and staff suffering from gunshot wounds. The building was secured, the ”shooter” was located deceased, and Newtown EMS personnel entered to provide emergency care for the wounded. Eighteen (18) children were pronounced dead at the scene, two children were transported to Danbury Hospital and later pronounced dead. Six (6) adult victims were also pronounced dead at the scene. Teams located the shooter on scene; he was also pronounced dead. The perimeter was also searched and secured by responding law enforcement.

The building was secured and at the request of the Newton Police Chief and Danbury State’s Attorney, two Connecticut State Police Major Crime squads responded to conduct the investigation into this crime. Troopers are assisted by Newtown Police Detectives, Danbury State’s Attorney, and many Federal, Local, and States Law Enforcement Agencies

The processing of the scene began immediately with documentation of the crime scene and identifying and gathering both physical and forensic evidence. The urgent focus of the Major Crime investigators was to work with the Office of the Chief State’ s Medical Examiner to establish the identity of all the deceased victims. This was accomplished overnight and the next of kin were all notified that positive identification was made.

The family of each victim was assigned a Trooper or Officer to establish and maintain an open line of communication. This was put into place so families of the victims can have immediate contact related to any questions they may have and to also provide State Police investigators the ability to communicate with families without delay.

The families have requested no press interviews and we are asking that this request be honored.

The deceased victims have been transported to the Office of The Chief State’s Medical Examiner where a post mortem examination will be conducted to determine the manner and cause of death.

State Police Major Crime Investigators are continuing to process the school crime scene, gathering evidence and documenting the entire facility. State Police Detectives assisted by Newtown Detectives processed the interior and exterior crime scene. Teams of investigators flooded the community and followed each lead, developing extensive information.

A second crime scene was located by investigators at a residence on Yogananda Street. A female was located deceased inside the residence. This scene was secured and an additional State Police Major Crime Squad responded to this scene to investigate this incident. Preliminary information determined that the deceased was a relative of the “shooter” at the Elementary School.

Presently, the school scene is still being processed by detectives and it anticipated that this process will take several days. In addition, Troopers are continuing to follow any and all leads in this case utilizing Law Enforcement in-state as well as out of state as required.

Crisis counseling teams are on-site to provide support to the families of all of the victims.

The investigation is continuing.

###END###

LT. J. Paul Vance

Connecticut State Police

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Roy Occhiogrosso, senior adviser for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, said at about 1:25 that the governor is visiting with families in the school, making sure the flow of information is reliable and swift. “It is an unspeakable scene,” Occhiogrosso said in a phone interview.

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“It’s beginning to look a lot like” a special legislative session to deal with the current $365 million to $417 million shortfall in the current budget, depending on whose numbers you’re using. So lame ducks in the House will be flocking on December 19. Senate hasn’t decided yet, but either the 19th or the 20th is about right.