Today, December 14, is the five-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A total of 26 people--20 first grade students and six adults--were shot and killed at the school by 20-year-old Adam Lanza, who also killed his mother prior to beginning the massacre, and killed himself later in the day. Given the age and the sheer number of the victims, it was an especially upsetting tragedy and sparked a fierce debate over gun control.
Now, people are taking time to recount their memories of the day, and to remember those killed.
CNN's Jake Tapper tweeted a picture and a fact about each of the victims:
Charlotte Bacon, 6, wanted to be a veterinarian. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/9od1Kk1LZp
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Daniel Barden, 7, played the drums in a band with his sister and brother. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/ZQwWRNreJT
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Noah Pozner, 6, loved tacos and Mario Bros. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/gubM8Rxtza
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Jack Pinto, 6, loved wrestling and wanted to be a pro football player. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/dUHQ77GVzX
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Jesse Lewis, 6, was learning how to ride a horse. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/Jx0m8rs59u
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Grace McDonnell, 7, loved the beach and painting. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/AKT6QCUM07
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Upon his father arriving home each day, Dylan Hockey, 6, would run to him shouting,"Daddy!" #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/oUOCJfBOAV
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Jessica Rekos was "a beautiful 6-year-old girl who made us laugh every single day," her parents say. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/Kunq3C2A7q
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Even in her musical family, the gifts Ana Grace Marquez-Greene, 6, had for "melody, pitch, and rhythm stood out," her family recalls. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/zgUmnKVFMe
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Madeleine Hsu, 6, loved dogs. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/2Ug53hckS6
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Olivia Engel, 6, "brought immediate joy to all those around her with her ever-present smile and adorably infectious giggle," her family says. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/yjzDAOYvpY
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
James Mattioli, 6, would sing a lot, including in the shower and quietly to himself in bed at night. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/ZWG9WmPqw5
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Chase Kowalski, 7, loved playing baseball and practicing with his dad. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/lfxK7936UI
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Catherine Hubbard, 6, loved animals. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/0o5jJAsoYe
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Josephine Gay, 7, loved the Baltimore Ravens and rarely left the house without wearing something purple. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/cCmiPn7HpA
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
On the last morning of her life, Emilie Parker, 6, climbed into bed with her mom and they cuddled. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/7pFwEg6Xio
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Caroline Previdi, 6, loved to dance and to draw. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/ZsECfeWqCW
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Avielle Richman, 6, loved Harry Potter and tried to learn about archery after watching the Disney movie “Brave.” #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/DZpD3Bz3kq
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Ben Wheeler, 6, worshipped his older brother Nate. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/1sZoRXUdfe
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Allison Wyatt, 6, would surprise her family with random acts of kindness, once offering her snacks to a stranger on a plane. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/xRAuBTtVdA
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Vicki Soto, 27, taught the first grade. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/3uOlSaPekz
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
School psychologist Mary Sherlach ran towards the shooter to try to protect the kids #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/lvh53VK2Kk
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Principal Dawn Hochsprung was killed trying to stop the shooter. #SandyHook5yrs https://t.co/kjU80OQgAc pic.twitter.com/kgTj6O8MDj
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Rachel D'Avino, 29, was a behavioral specialist, also killed while trying to save the students. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/yQhjOhD71G
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Special Ed teacher Anne Marie Murphy pulled Dylan Hockley close to her before they were both killed. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/R5qpPvFkkg
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Lauren Rousseau, 30, was loving life, having just landed a job as a permanent substitute teacher. #SandyHook5yrs pic.twitter.com/QBN0Ef6Jq0
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 14, 2017
Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the day of the massacre was his "worst day" in the White House, and that President Obama broke down.
5 years ago today was my worst day at the White House. I saw my normally stoic boss break down. I lost my composure at the briefing. As a parent, I could not comprehend the horror of #SandyHook. I think of those innocent children, and their brave teachers, all the time.
— Jay Carney (@JayCarney) December 14, 2017
Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), whose district contains Newtown, tweeted a memorial as well.
Charlotte
— Elizabeth Esty (@RepEsty) December 14, 2017
Daniel
Rachel
Olivia
Josephine
Ana
Dylan
Dawn
Madeleine
Catherine
Chase
Jesse
James
Grace
Anne
Emilie
Jack
Noah
Caroline
Jessica
Avielle
Lauren
Mary
Victoria
Benjamin
Allison
Today is about remembering them.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member