Investigators Hope To 'Paint Complete Picture' Of CT Shooting
NEWTOWN, CT (CBS) – The bodies of 20 children and six adults murdered in cold blood the day before had all been removed from inside Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut Saturday morning. A crime scene remained, as local residents and the rest of the world wondered how and why someone could commit such an atrocious act.
Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance released the names of the victims at a news conference Saturday, noting that they have all been positively identified.
The ages of victims ranged from six to 56. The majority of the victims were six years old.
RELATED: Video Reports From Newtown Shooting
Connecticut Chief State Medical Examiner Dr. H. Wayne Carver said all the victims were hit more than once.
"I've been at this for a third of a century. This is probably the worst I have seen or the worst I know of my colleagues having seen," Carver said. "I did seven autopsies. The victims I had ranged from 3 to 11 wounds a piece, and only two of them had close range shooting."
Investigators were still working through the evidence Saturday. The investigation inside the building was expected to take at least another day-and-a-half to complete.
At a news conference Saturday, reporters asked whether the gunman, Adam Lanza left any hint of a motive for the rampage. Lt. Vance said that at a secondary crime scene, the home where Lanza shot and killed his mother before driving to the school in her car, investigators found "very good evidence in the investigation," which they were not ready to detail.
Lt. Vance indicated he was hopeful the evidence would explain a motive, and that it would paint "a complete picture as to how and more importantly why this occurred."
PHOTOS: Newtown School Shooting
Investigators were looking into exactly how Lanza managed to get past a new security system that was in place earlier in the year at the school that included a remote control lock and intercom with a video buzzer system to let visitors in.
READ: Who Is Adam Lanza?
Officials said Lanza forced his way into the building before heading directly for a specific section of the school, and killing students in two classrooms.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
Podcast
There were reports of two handguns and a high-powered rifle were recovered near the shooter.
State Police would not discuss the weapons involved in the shooting.
Medical Examiner Dr. H. Wayne Carver II said in a news conference Saturday afternoon that it appeared most, if not all of the victims were shot multiple times with bullets from a long-range rifle.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
Podcast
CBS News sources said that three guns found at the scene were bought legally and registered to the gunman's mother.
Earlier, it was reported that Lanza's mother was a teacher at the school. Lt. Vance said Saturday afternoon she did not appear to have any connection to the school.
Investigators were trying to learn more about Lanza, questioning family and friends.
In the meantime, a crisis intervention team has been established and is available to anyone in Newtown. Residents may reach it by calling (203) 207-4283.
