60 Minutes reports: Tragedy in Newtown

Sally Cox: Four or five years.

The gunman had shot out a window to get past the locked door. From the start, Sally Cox told us, the teachers and the kids, went immediately into the lockdown that they had practiced and practiced.

Scott Pelley: Children were trained to go under their desks in events like these?

Sally Cox: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we have different kinds of drills, you know? I mean-- in addition to fire drills and high wind drills and lock down drills and evacuation drills. So we've-- we've done it. We've been doing it, you know, each month it's something different, you know?

Scott Pelley: So you'd done those kind of things fairly recently?

Sally Cox: Just recently, yep. Yes. Yeah.

Scott Pelley: At some point, you left the school. And I wonder in that journey from your office through the door, what did you see?

Sally Cox: They told me to close my eyes. They-- they got-- they took my arm. And they guided me out. They said, "We'll guide you out. We want you to close your eyes until we get to the parking lot." I don't know what was there that they didn't want me to see, but they told me to close my eyes.

Scott Pelley: And that's what you did.

Sally Cox: That's what I did. Yeah.

The officers spared her the sight of the bodies of 20 first graders, four teachers, the school psychologist, the principal, and the killer.

Twenty-year-old Adam Lanza lived in town nearly all his life but he left few impressions. Olivia Devivo sat behind Lanza in 10th grade honors English.

Olivia Devivo: Yeah. He carried a briefcase, briefcase to every class. And that stood out to me because in high school everyone has backpacks and you know messenger bags. And that stood out to a lot of kids.

It also stood out that Lanza was uncomfortable when asked to speak in class.

Olivia Devivo: He just would just get very nervous. And you know, his face would turn bright red and he would get very fidgety. And you could just tell that it wasn't that he didn't know the answer. It's just that it was very difficult for him to say what he wanted to say.

Scott Pelley: Did he have a reputation for being a smart kid?

Olivia Devivo: Yeah, definitely. I mean you can just tell by the way he was in class. He was always-- appeared to be very attentive and focused.

Scott Pelley: How would you describe him socially?

Olivia Devivo: He must have really felt uncomfortable in any kind of social situation because he never really put himself out there. And I just don't really remember him ever, you know, stepping forward or really saying anything. It was just he wanted to be left alone and we left him alone.

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[pattigrace1225]

This was a heinous evil crime that should have been prevented by one parent-- recognizing that "NO" weapon should ever be made available in a home -- were there is any kind of emotional instability/mental illness. Unfortunately,denial is a serious part of human nature. No parent ever wants to believe their child could be capable of such a diabolical act/ and self destruction. Many times the Mental Health profession/Educators fail us. These issues are too majorly complex to manage.Intervention, proper consistent diagnosis is unfortunately -- more an exception than the rule today(in these cases). May our Holy Higher Power show us the "LIGHT" in this whole heinous, evil "MESS"! May a Spirit of "TRUST" be brought back to Newtown, and all our "HOMES"!

[aasisiddique]

Drug abuse is helping Fuel Violence and killing Innocent People.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-898077

[Aztekker]

Just stop the wasteful spending, and re-direct it to federal grants to schools to purchase Tasers (or the equalivent), and *training* of the school staff. Also, lock down the schools.

No need to arm teachers, just one person with a taser could have neutralized that whack-job.

Leave the guns to the trained citizens and law enforcement.

[Polka_Dancer]

I thought this was a worthwhile segment. I do not blame Sally Cox for hiding because I don't know what I would have done if I were in her shoes. I believe it would be worthwhile to learn more about "the path".

[EnufisEnuf0531]

I do not blame her, but I wouldn't be able to handle hearing the screams of children and I would have tried to save them. However, I certainly would not appear on 60 minutes if I did what she did.

[allinallisallweallare]

I really wish I could figure out how to make my own individual post but it's almost 5am and I can't see how to do it so I amy making my post a reply.

I am up so late because this tragedy has really upset me and I can't stop thinking about it.

Of course I am upset at the thought of those dear angels and the adult educators who lost their lives, as well as feeling so badly for the little ones who survived and will be scarred for the rest of their lives.

When I watched the report tonight I immediately knew the nurse would get over-the-top flack and I wondered not only why she agreed to do the interview but why 60 Minutes would air the interview.

Mr. Pelley, I think you made a very poor journalistic judgment. The nurse is obviously in traumatic aftershock and she probably did not think of the repercussions for telling her story and how her manner of survival would appear to those quick to judge. You, on the other hand, Mr. Pelley, as a professional journalist of what I have always thought the highest caliber, have the presence of mind to have known exactly the same as my instinct and it was irresponsible to have aired the interview, knowing full well that this poor woman was in mental shock and could not fully realize the potential backlash against her. You took advantage of her at her weakest moment. This is not one of those investigative pieces when you are trying to catch someone offguard. I dare say your interview with the nurse was sensationalist, as was the entire piece.

It needn't be spelled out that this woman will now receive direct vitriol by people such as those who have posted here who are calling her a coward. I hate to think about the further damage this will cause to this innocent woman's psychological state.

I have cried for the children and their families. I have cried for the educators and their families. I have cried for the entirety of Sandy Hook Elementary. I have cried for Newtown, CT. I have cried for our country. And after reading some of the comments here which verified my instincts, I am now crying particularly for Ms. Cox.

No one, but no one, has the right to judge her. No one can know what they themselves would do in a time of panic. She was not a coward. She is simply a human being trying to get through this crazy world as we all are.

I don't know what I would have done in her exact circumstance. I may have left the office, I may not have left the office. I may have frozen in panic.

She was a dedicated school nurse for many, many years. Doesn't that count for something?

For shame on you people who throw stones at her from your glass houses.

In conclusion, to CBS, 60 Minutes and Mr. Pelley: I strongly believe your report tonight is already causing unnecessary further grief and strife for Ms. Cox due to the people who are attacking her as a coward. The least you can do is remove the comment section to the report in its entirety and close the comments period.

All in all is all we all are.

[ProtectTheLittlePeople]

Yes, perhaps the woman was in some sort of shock. I don't think she should be tainted as a coward. We all would have done one of 2 things. Self preservation is a natural instinct. But what I find troubling is the number of hours in the closet.

They are all victims. However, I imagine me in charge of a group of kids and someone were to come after them. What would I do? It is in my nature to protect those kids, even if it meant my life. I guess each individual is different. I mean, if I were walking 10 kids across the street and saw an 18 wheeler coming and no time to think, which action would I choose. Perhaps this is a question we should all ask ourselves. As a parent, it is easy for me to say what I would do. But that's me.

[KindaPragmatic]

I wanted to express my dismay at the segment. Personally, I feel that it was not done in good taste to publicize the name of Lanza to such an extent. I feel as though it only spurs others to follow in such footsteps, and gain a level of notoriety. I addition your interviewing former classmates of Lanza was done somewhat poorly. If your goal was to further isolate individuals who may have "aspergers" or are simply rather introverted, I congratulate you in succeeding. CBS, your segment did not help the situation, but hurt it.

[Polka_Dancer]

How is this situation hurt by this segment? Please specify.

[ShielaMarie]

I agree with Dianedzw. There are no specific meds for Asperger's. There are drugs that are used to control behavior issues. I would have thought a show as such as 60 Minutes would have cued into that. I don't think this case is as difficult as suggested on this show. The drugs used to treat behavior issues are anti psychotics, the same used for schizophrenia, ADHD, ADD, etc. Those drugs may control behaviors however they can cause the actual behaviors they are suppose to control. Sometimes those behaviors are amplified. Most of those drugs aren't really tested for those on the Autism spectrum. With the Autism Spectrum being so broad and individualized, medicating really is a crap shoot. This situation makes it imperative to watch the person closely for shifts in personality. To top it off, many are on a cocktail of meds. This may be as simple as a bad reaction to meds. The mention of flat expressions that he was exhibiting makes me think he was on one of the meds used by schizophrenics. That is a characteristic of schizophrenia but the meds for such can cause the same attributes. Flat effect, anger, anxiety, etc can be caused by them as much as being controlled by the drugs. I don't know why anyone isn't addressing the simplest to check out first. Or, do folks want to sensationalize this more than necessary. The folks of Newtown need to heal. They don't need people stirring things up for their own gig.

[AspieAunt]

I am in tears after seeing the story about the tragedy at Sandy Hook School; unfortunately, not just because of the heart-wrenching pain the incident has caused. I am so upset and disgusted by the irresponsible and negligent reporting that the shooter had Asperger's and that it may have had a role in the shooter's actions. As an aunt of an "Aspie", I am livid that they left that little nugget of information to just dangle out there for all of the people who are misinformed and under-educated about Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders to form inaccurate perceptions of those with the disorder. I am worried sick and fearful for my nephew's safety now. High School children can be cruel to begin with, and my nephew has had to struggle to make his place amongst his peers, but now he may have to deal with his peers suspecting he may "go postal" just because he has Asperger's? I pray to God that his peers don't ostricize him for this, or worse hurt him. 60 Minutes needs to make an apology to the families of those with Autism and Austism Spectrum Disorders and do a full and comprehensive report to educate people and undo the harm they have created.

[Polka_Dancer]

They mentioned that most people with Asperger's are VICTIMS of violence, not perpetrators.

[connie304]

All the rage toward and judgement of Sally Cox is not in any way helpful. What would have been helpful is an interview question about which medication exactly Adam Lanza was on. People with Aspergers aren't generally violent, but many, many of those who have committed violent acts such as these ARE on medications well-known to cause violent thoughts and behaviours. That's what we should be talking about.

[josephp5]

The people calling this woman a coward because she hid instead of confronting an armed gunman are jerks. People like these love to imagine that they would be the hero that disarmed someone of three guns, yet they would be the first ones to wet themselves. This woman lived through the most awful moment anyone can imagine, and had she not hid she would definitely be killed herself, as were the principal and school psychologist. She is lucky to be alive, and will probably be suffering the memories for the rest of her life.

[EnufisEnuf0531]

And how many kids did the principal and school psychologist save by doing what they did. I could have never hid and listened to screams of children while they were being shot.

[Tashmoo711]

I'd like to thank those who already commented for their respectful tone, even as they disagree. It prevented me from going off with the intense anger I feel -- not about Sally Cox's story, as I won't form an opinion on someone who was faced with intense moment-by-moment decisions. It's about something else.

During this report, a Lanza family member stated, "We knew he was on medications and everything." After that, the proper follow-up question is, Did you know what medications those were? Or, off-camera, Can you lead us to the doctor who prescribed those medications? If that information is being withheld during the investigation, please state that. You did not.

This is not adequate reporting. The public desperately needs to know everything that might have led to this incident, not just implications about Aspergers -- which unnecessarily cast a stigma on all the families living with that condition.

It's well known that CBS' "60 MInutes" is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. (There was a Celebrex ad amid this report.) Remember the outrage at the Judy Garland piece in the '70s, detailing her death by drug addiction and then cutting to a NyQuil commercial? Have we lost our sense of outrage?

I expect better from "60 Minutes," to put it mildly. And I am putting everything here mildly, thanks to the standards my fellow commenters have set. This oversight inspires rage, frustration, and suspicion. My God, 20 children have died. Do some real reporting on this case or get out of the business.