My condolences. All these victims were innocent victims of insanity. Unfortunately, insanity doesn't care who the good people are, so we have to be sure we appreciate them.

Thank you, Ray, from your friends at Patch

My sincere condolences to the family, and ALL of the families involved in this horrific, unspeakable tragedy.

So very sorry for the loss of all those lives that have been lost. Prayers sent to all of you and your families.

Prayers go out to all family and victims of this horrible tragedy !!!

So sorry to hear that a member of the Patch family suffered a loss in this tragedy.

Saddened by all the needless death and pain caused to all families affected by this horrible event.

My prayers go out to all who have suffered losses in this tragic event. God bless you all and grant you strength.

I cannot understand any of this and I am so very sorry for the loss of a Patch employee's family member... Prayers for all who have suffered from this unspeakable tragedy..

My condolences to the family. I am so sorry to hear about this. I have been watching the news since this morning and still cannot believe what has happened. My thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone else affected by this tragedy.

My heart goes out to all. Such senseless tragedy. There are somethings in life that we will never ever understand. My heart goes out to all those in Connecticut.

Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with all of you.

Words can not express how sorrowful we are for Eric and his wife and all of those who lost their loved ones in such a horrible tragedy. Our prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with all who had their lives changed forever. God Bless. evelyn

So sorry to hear the news such a horrible event,such innocent people and children.

Our condolences to Eric and his wife and to all those who lost their loved ones this horrific day.

Pete, I don't see how we're "exploiting" Eric or his family in any way. We're doing our job as reporters by sharing information about someone killed in a tragedy. In this case, one of the victims has a connection to Patch, and we pointed out that connection.

I don't think its necessarily exploitive to report on this, but I do think victims and their families deserve privacy....I think the picture was over the line. Prayers to all of those affected in this tragedy.

Terribly tragic day. So sorry to hear this, and so deeply saddened about all those who were lost today.

I am so very very sorry to hear this. My thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to out to all.

My heart is broken, my chest is heavy. How saddened I am on the loss of this wonderful young woman and all the other young people. To the family. please accept my condolences on this saddest of days.

...there are no words...you are in ALL of our thoughts & prayers...

God Bless Eric, his family and the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

If you are unfamiliar with Eric's work, you should look up his byline on your home Patch site. He's been covering high school sports for many of our communities in the region, and doing a bang-up job. Read some of it, and I bet you will all miss his voice like I will until we hear from him again.

My sympathies, Eric, and especially to you, Maura, and your family.

@Susan...what I meant by over the line was it may have crossed a line with invading the privacy of her grieving family. I agree that it puts a face to the tragedy, but if it were my loved one, I would not appreciate that.

Our hearts are with you

She is a hero without a doubt you know she tried to protect those children .I wish you comfort in knowing she is in heaven .I wish your family my deepest sympathy .

Agreed with jake did the patch even ask Swartz? That's right he wasn't available for comment .

Our prayers are with you and your wife Eric as well as the other families. Her picture, so beautiful an image of a true angel and hero. God Bless all the families and victims.

My condolences. Such a horrific incident.
PS--I can't believe you're being criticized for this story and wonderful photo. Some folks have strange priorities and very bad timing.

My condolences to you and your wife and family on your loss. And to all who lost their children and moms and/or dads. RIP

rational thinker, Eric was kind enough to speak with me tonight, and here's the story:
http://patch.com/A-0wwQ

Did you get in touch with him before this article was written tim ? As its written here he wasn't available for comment .

our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and everyone else that was taking from us way to soon...'

Do we really have to bicker over the who and the what's? ?? Send your prayers and condolences for these innocents and then hug your family tight! thank the good lord about there weren't more casualties! !

Why do people have to bicker
at a time like this....its such a sad sad day for all. Send your prayers and hug your family!

Well Tim I just feel if Eric wasn't around for comment then the patch should have waited until he was. My condolences Bill ,Maura ,and Eric . Today there's more then one Mary in heaven that comes to mind .

Tim you know I'm right that's why rebutile wasn't accepted . I didn't curse or say anything mean spirited !

I am so sorry for your loss. May God grant you and all of the families involved the strength to get through this. Remember, people all over the Country are praying for you.

I am at such a loss for words. I feel so sad. And angry. I am an elementary school counselor. There is NOTHiNG I would I wouldn't do to protect my little ones from monsters such as this murderer. All I can say is may God bless your beautiful mother in laws soul and those of the others killed in this tragedy. I hope you can feel all of our collective love and hugs coming through today. Our country is just devastated.

My condolences to the family and friends of Mary. Such a senseless tragic loss. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you are millions of people across the country. May you Rest in Peace.

my heart is with eric and his family. i am so so sorry for u.

Sincere condolences to the Patch family,there aren't enough words to say... so sorry...

The TV news stations need to quit talking to the innocent children that got out safely yesterday and leave them alone right now. Adults are having a hard time processing what happened...I can only imagine how hard it is and will be for these children. Leave them alone!

God Bless the innocent victims and give peace to their families.

So horribly tragic. My deepest condolences to all.

So horrible, the loss of the lives of beautiful little children and adults who cared for them. My heart goes out to each family in Connecticut affected by this heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, senseless, awful tragedy of monumental proportion.
Japan has very strict gun laws and the gun violence there is next to nothing. Why do we need guns in 2012? This isn't the Wild, Wild West. Ignore the gun lobbyists, the the legislators who align with them, and adopt a law more in keeping with peacemaking. May God grant peace to those parents who lost their beautiful little children and the families who lost their loved ones to this murder that should never have occurred. May we be guided by good conscience - not politics - and do what is right to revamp the gun law. {Linda Spreeman, King of Prussia}

My condolences to the families/friends of all victims of the terrible tragedy.

So incredibly sorry for your loss.

I want to send out my condolences to everyone touched by this horrific massacre. School is supposed to be a safe haven for kids and not a place of fear and horror.

This tradgedy effects so many world wide..........my heart is so sad and I find myself very angry and crying for those who lost their lives AND their families because SOMEONE HAD GUNS AND DIDN'T LOCK THEM AWAY. There HAS TO BE some more stringent rules regarding the sale and availability of guns in this country. Too many getting hold of them and killing and maiming other innocent men,women and children. I'm elderly, seen a lot, and don't understand how guns can be so readily available AND those owing them being so ignorant that they leave them too available to their children and those with mental problems. Such stupidity..they are killing weapons........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, no inane comments about my 'spelling'!!

I live in Charlotte, NC but am from Berwyn so I subscribe to and enjoy reading The patch.
Thank you for sharing this story. My heart goes out to Maura, Eric and their families, along with all those touched by this tragedy.

How safe are our schools?

Just so senseless and especially to all the children.

Sincere condolences to your family and all the families affected by this tragedy. You will be in our prayers. Tammie Garrett and Ames Memorial UMC Baltimore, MD. God Bless

If there ever WAS a time to talk about guns and the horrific cost in human lives they incur especially here in America, it's now...when the smallest and most innocent are mowed down with impunity. I don't CARE what the killer's mental status was or whether or not the guns were 'accessible' to him (personally I don't think so--I suspect he forced his mother to give him the keys before murdering her), but ALL of the talk about 'glorifying violence' still comes back to the one salient fact: that the vast amount of violence in our country is done with GUNS. Bullets kill, and they're fired from these weapons as we've just seen yesterday. These most innocent of all: IN school thinking of the upcoming holidays with their families and likely just beginning to look forward to a lovely day having no idea that within minutes it'd be turned into something out of a horror show. I simply can't wrap my mind around a human being shooting a small child. Impossible. Someone here wanted to know where he got it from, if not the movies? How about from the LAST mass murderer? Each one seemingly wanting to outdo the previous one: in terms of numbers and 'news-worthiness'--and amount of pain inflicted? Restrict the ammunition/the bullets and we can get a handle on these horrific murders. Someone else mentioned Japan, where they have NO gun shootings like this--and full gun control with extremely strict background checks. How is it THEY can make it work and we can't?!

My sincere condolences and prayers are will all.

My condolences to Eric and his wife's family. There are no words to console the parents and loved ones of those brutally murdered at the Sandy Hook Elementary School or to describe the pain of such an unspeakable tragedy.

My heartfelf condolences go out to you and your family. </3

I just want to send my condolences to the families affected by this senseless shooting. I am from Long Branch and now live in the Midwest and I want to thank the Patch for your journalism on the current events happening in and around my home town. In my opinion I feel the picture of Ms. Sherlach is respectable and a beautiful memorium for America to understand that these people are real and could easily have been anyone in our own families. We see these psychopaths who commit these acts plastered all over the tv and papers (which is probably what they want) but we need to put a face to the Heros and victims and honor them. Rest in Peace all the Angels from Sandy Hook Elementary

My deepest sympathy and condolences to all of the families and friends touched by this atrocity. To loose anyone is hard and painful. It is even harder when Angles grow their wings far to early and senselessly.
Please do not focus on the question of Why. There will never be an answer that will take your pain or sadness or change what happened.
Mourn and honor all of your Angles with happy times that you shared as they will be watching over you.

Everyone should read the second amendment and our fore fathers thoughts on it. It speaks about allowing a militia for a free state. In the late 1770's our country was still under the threat of British invasion and takeover. That is what the founders of the constitution meant. Not for people to people to own multiple guns with hundreds of rounds. If the founders of our country were around today they would be shocked at how this amendment has been twisted into the violence and huge money industry it has become. An actual fact, 43 times more than used to defend a possible intruder, guns are used, stolen, accidently fired, found, etc for purposes other than what some claim as 'in case of emergency, defending myself or family'. That justification does not wash anymore. Certified military, police, real hunters, etc. are the only people who need a gun, let alone many with hundreds of rounds.

So you want an "armed citizen" in schools. Who would this "armed citizen" be? If you want schools to have police officers stationed, then you have to pay for it through taxes & people are complaining that their taxes are too high now. And how many "armed citizens" would you station in the school? Imagine a school like Eyer, or EHS that have many entrances/hallways.One in each entrance/hallway? For if you only have one or two in a school like this it probably would not be effective unless the intruder happened to enter right where the "armed citizen" is standing. Years ago, having a police officer in EHS was discussed. The cost was over $35,000.00/per year. Nobody wanted to pay. Are teachers/administrators willing to give up salary? I don't think so.Imagine schools hiring a private security firm to protect. I worked at EHS when they did this. Some of these security officers that were there should not have been allowed to protect anybody. One had a very short fuse and cursed at the students. One, I remember, flirted with the girls. Not really a good idea. Maybe the solution is a complete change of attitude in this country. You do not see this in other industrialized countries. People do not need semi automatic weapons. Better economy. Less hate. Would help. Better access to health care through much lower insurance premiums so people could afford health care. But I digress. A sense of hope and caring before the tragedy.

Paul, it's just not Hollywood. I see the video games and all the games our youth are playing on their TV's..........so much shooting/killing and violence. IF a young person has mental problems and plays these games or has access to them, it seems to me that this type of game 'encouraging' them to do likewise....take your enemies out.

Guns are here to stay folks.

The liberals should back to banning 16 oz slurpies.

Pundit, Good post!!! There are some 'people' who have to have 'something' to hold on to to make them feel secure, important/macho or 'whatever'. With all these mass murders happening in this country (read the news and see how other countries, not including those w their born terrorists) there are many other 'civilized' countries who do not have this problem. Granted, the US is many times larger than many other countries (one of our states is the size of many) but why are 'we' so violent here.
AND, think I mentioned this before.......look at all those violent games our children play on line/tv and in their hand held items. My grandchildren play them also and I don't understand why their parents allow them to do so...of course...it's their lives. Some people with mental problems don't have the control/emotions to make them see it for what it is...a game, abeit violent one. Too many 'careless' gun owners. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Go ahead, own guns for sport or just as a hobby BUT keep them locked up and away from your children/teens or emotionally distrubed children/young adults. I read where a little boy shot his little sister 'accidentially' because of a gun left 'around'...how horrific to that boy and familhy to 'live w that on their consciences'... ENOUGH, I've posted more than enough.

As passed by the Congress:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State:

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.[

long before you could call 911 bottom line you cant use automatic weapons
Paul you need to clean your key board and pull up your camo boxer shorts

This Paul is the same guy who is dressed in a tea party outfit protesting who receives SS and Medicare but is anti govt lol gotta love those hypocrites

My prayers and condolences go to ALL families who have lost a loved one from this violent evil act. Now is the time to grieve, heal and then deal with the political talk on here. Yes, one of the patch members family died and it was reported on the news this morning about ALL the victims and even showing pictures of them. We should be more postive in your comments on this post. Respectful comments please!

Day 3 no mention of the psych drugs Lanza was taking or withdrawing from. SSRI's are deadly, read the inserts.

http://ssristories.com/
This website is a collection of 4,800+ news stories with the full media article available, mainly criminal in nature, that have appeared in the media (newspapers, TV, scientific journals) or that were part of FDA testimony in either 1991, 2004 or 2006, in which psych drugs are mentioned.

Click the link and weep at what big pharma is doing to us and our children.

AAAhhhh, seems to me 'Paul' needs to stop criticizing those who disagree with him or criticizes his opines..........it's a free country Paul..........and smart & intelligence people should not have to demean those who disagree with them...we should all have 'open minds' not influenced by any organization or whatever like the NRA...by the way....in reading much via the computer, it seems as if the NRA gave more money to the Republican candidates this last election than ever before...it's in the New York times and other good sources.

...And big pharma gave more to the (D)'s then ever before? So.

http://ssristories.com/ click, if you care.

Join the NRA today. Protect yourselves from the next tragedy folks. This ould have been stopped if we were able to sell AK 47s at 7-11s.

How senseless, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the others. We will see them on the other side. Bless Mary's soul.

It is very tragic but yet poetic justice that the guns Adam Lanza used to slaughter those people were owned by his mother, a NRA member and his first victim. She even taught him how to shoot.

oh yeah and Barney save the youre rambo tough guy talk

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Oh no, can this story get any worse. Adam Lanza’s mother, not only owned the guns and belonged to the NRA, she was a gun proud survivalist. Oh no. I am not going to say why I think the son went off, I will wait for the police to say. They do say they know the motive. This is why we need super strict gun control.
According to the UK Telegraph, “Nancy Lanza, whose gun collection was raided by her son Adam for Friday’s massacre at Sandy Hook school, was part of the “prepper” movement, which urges readiness for social chaos by hoarding supplies and training with weapons.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9749217/Connecticut-school-shooting-Adam-Lanzas-mother-was-preparing-for-disaster.html
All those dead children and the heroes that protected them. And all those kids who will remember that day forever.
This is so wrong.

You can easily get into any school. Just show up with dozen cupcakes and you will be let in!

Deepest condolences . . . . . utter shame.

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My condolensces to the family and my deepest sorrow.

My heart goes out to the families of the victims of this needless tragedy.

Credit, of course, to the brave teachers who died trying to defend their charges.

It's a crime that the teachers and administrators, like all others nation-wide, were, and are, prohibited from being able to actually defend themselves and our children.

Just as TSA is feel-good security theater and the Israelis actually know how to screen threats, in Israel teachers and parent volunteers are trained and armed so that they can actually prevent/stop such acts of mass murder. Here we have large, well advertised zones rich in easy targets that are prohibited by law from being defended in a timely and effective manner.

Teachers already must pass stringent background checks before they are given access to our children. We should make training and ready access to defensive weapons in the school a job requirement and part of their certification.

Every moment of delay in neutralizing the threat equals more dead innocents.

Stop the insanity. Allow teachers to defend themselves and their charges and require that they be trained and equipped to do so.

Lord bless his mothers soul along with all the rest of the victims

No politics here. Just a sincere expression of sympathy to you on the death of your mother-in-law.

No politics here either. Not on this post. My sincerest sympathies to Eric and his family on their loss. My son is around the same age as the children that were killed and this tragedy has affected me greatly. I hae amazing respect for the teachers and staff who put themselves in harms way for their students. Heroes. All of them.

I also give my sincerest love and hugs to the family.

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