'Revenge' Shooting At Amish School

Four Girls Killed, Six Others Hospitalized; Cops Say Gunman Killed Himself

(CBS/AP)  Police say a milk truck driver carrying three guns and a childhood grudge stormed a one-room Amish schoolhouse, sent the boys and adults outside, barricaded the doors with wood planks, and then opened fire on a dozen girls, killing three people before committing suicide.

Early Tuesday, authorities confirmed reports that a fourth girl has died.

The 7-year-old girl died about 4:30 a.m. at Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey, hospital spokeswoman Amy Buehler Stranges said.

"Her parents were with her," Buehler Stranges said. "She was taken off life support and she passed away shortly after."

Six other girls are in the hospital.

At Penn State Children's Hospital, a 6-year-old girl is in critical condition and a 13-year-old girl is in serious condition. Another victim is at Christiana Hospital in Delaware, where officials are not releasing any information. And three girls, ages 8, 10 and 12, are at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where a spokeswoman says they are out of surgery but are in critical condition.

Police say notes and phone calls show the gunman, Charles Carl Roberts IV, 32, was "angry at life, he was angry at God." While some who knew him saw no signs of trouble, others say his mood had darkened and he'd stopped chatting and joking with co-workers and customers.

This is America's third deadly school shooting in less than a week.

CBS News correspondent Mark Knoller reports President Bush, reacting to the shootings, has ordered the U.S. Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to study ways the government can help prevent school violence.

A conference on that subject is planned for next week with the participation of law enforcement, educators and parent groups.

Monday's rampage shattered the typical quiet of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, home to the Amish, horse-drawn buggies, green pastures and neat-as-a-pin farms, where violent crime is rare.

A teacher called police around 10:30 a.m. and reported that a gunman was holding students hostage.

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Click here to read about the U.S. Department of Education's school safety initiatives. Keep Schools Safe provides additional resources for parents on school safety issues.

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Most of the victims had been shot execution-style at point-blank range after being lined up along the chalkboard, their feet bound with wire and plastic ties, authorities said. Two young students were killed, along with a female teacher's aide who was slightly older than the students, state police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said.

"This is a horrendous, horrific incident for the Amish community. They're solid citizens in the community. They're good people. They don't deserve ... no one deserves this," State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said.

Miller says Roberts, who lived in the nearby town of Bart, Pa., was bent on killing young girls as a way of "acting out in revenge for something that happened 20 years ago" when he was a boy.

Miller refused to say what that long-ago hurt was.

A family spokesman, Dwight LeFever, read a short statement from Roberts' wife.

"The man who did this today was not the Charlie I have been married to for almost ten years. My husband was loving, supportive, thoughtful... all the things you would always want and more," she said. "Our hearts are broken, our lives are shattered, and we grieve for the innocence and lives that were lost today. Above all, please pray for the families who lost children and please pray too for our family and children."

Neighbors who knew the Roberts' family said they saw no indications of trouble brewing.

"They're a fine Christian family. It's ironic and it's heartbreaking," said Lois Fiester, a relative, as she stood outside the family's modest tan ranch house.

Police say Roberts was not Amish, appeared to have nothing against the Amish, and apparently chose the school because it was close by, there were girls there, and it had little or no security.

The attack bore similarities to a deadly school shooting last week in Bailey, Colorado, and authorities there raised the possibility that the Pennsylvania attack was a copycat crime.

[dougskelly-2009]

When will our children stop being terroized in the saftey of their schools. Heavy hearts go out to the families and people of Pa. We feel your suffering here in Colorado.

[VegasResident]

"When will our children stop being terroized in the saftey of their schools?"

Answer: When children stop having access to guns. When will parents start putting guns in secure safes. Not cabinets, etc. Yes there are instances of adults going into schools, but come one, where are these freshmen, etc getting guns? In their homes!

Second....lock the bump bars for school once classes start. This allows kids out but no one in. Leave one access open with a school resource officer (i.e. cop) located there.

Third: what has happened to the way kids are raised? Both parents work expecting their children to be rasied by teachers or daycare.

[sprice06]

How can people even imagine doing things like this? My thoughts and prayers are with the families during there sad time.

[VegasResident]

By the way, Vegas made news today with a school lockdown for a kid with a gun. I live in Vegas.

Dont think this is massive breaking news here. We have lockdowns for gunman alot throughout the year.

In fact we had a school bus that got shot at by gang members last week as it was dropping off kids. Bullets went right through bus. That did not even make the national news.

[sharonac1960]

The prisons are full already, of course this killer is dead already, However, if the death penalty were used more often, when there is absolutely No doubt they did the crime, I believe this would help put a stop to so many murders.

[tonyh41]

The entire problem is----easy access to guns!!! Plain and simple. As long as Republicans keep getting money from gun lobbists, the gun problems at schools will unfortunately continue. What does it take America??? Learn the issues---put a stop to these useless killings!!! Learn what the American lobby does!

[thgdriver]

Locking the schools down don't work, that nut in Colorado walked in with the school kids.

looks like we better place an armed guard at all our schools starting this afternoon.

[lyssa_lane]

I COULD NOT IMAGINE, IM SO SORRY FOR ALL THAT YOU FEEL AND MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE OUT TO THE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY.

[bubblip]

C'mon - naive to keep blaming guns. As the saying goes - "Do you blame Spoons for Rosie O'Donnell being fat?!" C'mon - there is a fundamental issue in how people are raise. The only thing that seems to matter, which I think is wrong, if making sure people's self-esteem doesn't get hurt and thus you can't punish people. Big mistake - as is evident by events like this.

[nadnagrom]

As a country, we have for the better part of the last 100 years, sought to "end" or "control" the sorry side of Human Behavior by passing laws or banning things. It is time to recognize that this reaction is fruitless when placed against the dysfunctional or psychotic behavior of a very small number of Humans.

Until we can address THEIR Behavior and either treating it before it tragicly erupts, or rendering them as you would a sick animal, no amount of Laws and Bannings will save lives in cases like this.

So, to those who's answer to tragedy like this, is to seek banning guns and making laws which the sick animal never abides by, face the Real Issue and start working interven, cure or put down these very small numbers of non-Humans.

[shutupmurtha]

TonyH41,

Oh it is the Republicans fault that there is a school shooting in PA.

Many people who kill do not obtain guns legally, they steal it. So they dont really care if they got a gun legally or not since they are using it for illegal purposes.... This requires just a small amount of common sense. I guarantee you if all the teachers in that school carried a concealed weapon their would not have been anyone, but the guy who came in with the gun killed. Why is everything political with you libs??? Why dont you show a little sympathy for the families of these children (oh yeah, you hate Amish, they are for traditional values and part of the religious right) or the children in the Foley case (Oh yeah, because you have been fighting for *** rights for a long time and lowering the age of consent is next on the "agenda"). Why is your first reaction to attack and belittle the right (oh yeah, because you guys lost two straight elections and are the minority in the government and because you can not face the republicans in debate with your ideas, because you wont dare tell people what you stand for).

[livelyj1]

What are we going to do?? How can we stop this?? I have a 10 year old granddaughter and I am scared to death to see her even go to school. Was the shooter Amish? My prayers are with all the children and their families.

[hbevis]

PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE LOST THEIR MIND'S LATELY. AND I GUESS ALL THE ANIT-FIREARMS PEOPLE WILL BE REALLY UPSET. BUT, THAT IS THEIR RIGHT I GUESS. I JUST WISH ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO OWN GUNS AND KEEP THEM IN THEIR HOMES (INCLUDING MYSELF) WOULD KEEP THEM EITHER LOCKED UP OR HAVE THEM IN A STATE SO THAT THEY CAN%u2019T BE FIRED. IF SOMEONE IS SHOT WHILE COMMITTING A CRIME THEN THAT IS JUST THEIR BAD LUCK. BUT SHOOTINGS LIKE THIS ONE IS JUST PLAIN CRAZY. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THIS MAN THINKING. I DON%u2019T CARE HOW MAD SOMEONE IS, JUST UP AND SHOOTING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IS NOT THE ANSWER. I BELIEVE THAT WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN A GUN OR GUNS, BUT WE SHOULD USE THAT RIGHT IN THE CORRECT WAY.
HBEVIS

[mjv2944]

Guns aren't all the problem, this nut would have clubbed or stabbed them if he was hell bent on killing. Our justice has been corrupted over the years by deal making lawyers and proscuters not wanting to try cases. Make the penalties harsh and keep them locked up for a long long time.

[perm3800]

Okay - for those NOT paying attention: the school is AMISH. The shooter is NOT a student. Nothing about how we raise children or police our schools applies here.

We do NOT know the identity of the shooter or his relationship to the school/ students. The Amish don't generally have much to do with guns. Or TV or music videos or rap music or any of the usual suspects. Chances are the deceased shooter is a shunned Amish with profound mental illness. It happens. It is sad but no amount of proactive legislation would have prevented it. It is unique because it happened in a self-isolated community.

[rsoxfan1123]

ShutupMurtha , if all the teachers brought guns, someone would've taken one away and shot someone with it by now. Why is it that right across the bridge from Detroit, in Canada, do you have a city with almost nary a murder? what, do you suppose, makes this country so violent?

[cantshutup]

All schools must accept responsibility for security...If they think something like this won't happen in their schools they are a tragedy waiting to happen...lock the doors and place security at the doors and all people at the doors should be monitored via survelience cameras...ALSO, I am not a republican, but I'm tired of people who want to blame liberals for all the problems and blaming republicans as well...we live in a sick society, ask yourselves why? Why is it that life is not valued? Is it the fault of "libs" or "the right" no, it is the fault of people who feed us garbage day after day...what's on tv tonight? I guarantee you will see rape, murder, and all sorts of violence...Hollywood doesn't care about the decline of morals, hollywood has only one concern... $$$$$ the almighty dollar...ask yourself if you enjoy life in these capitalist United States? Do you enjoy the overwhelming state of our nation? Do you enjoy the standards that hollywood sets and we blindly follow??? turn off your d a m n tv's and get out and ride a bike with your kids, demand greater security at your schools, demand that lawyers, judges and those involved in the judicial system are giving out the harshest penalties possible...we have to stop this craziness! the government isn't going to do it for us, it's an administration of warmongers, and doesn't care if your children are safe...but you should care and you can make changes for the better, we just have to stand up and demand it!!!

[jumkey]

On average, 8 children a day in the US die in murders, suicides and accidents involving guns. This shooting is just another day in gun-loving America - what makes it news is it happened in one place.

Clearly most Americans care more about maintaining their unrestricted access to firearms than their children's lives.

We live in a sadly immoral and irrational country.

[cantshutup]

shutupmurtha...please shut up and don't suggest that teachers bring guns to school....we are here to teach and explain why things happen...teachers are human too and we had a teacher in our district get arrested for having METH in her desk...first of all what an idiot!!! and i don't care who storms our building, i wouldn't want some looser teacher on meth welding a gun!!! LOCK the DOORS and you prevent 100% of psycho's from entering our schools and hurting our precious children

[adventurepa]

Nickel mines is like 15 minutes away from me.
This is such a shame some nut decided to kill these kids.
Always thought it would never be this close.
Very amish area near Strasburg railroad and Rte 741. 2 minutes from Nickel Mines.

Hope it wasn't because of religion.
Not all democrat's want to take away guns.


It's not easy access to guns that kills people.
People kill people.
Some people just loose there marbles.

[shutupmurtha]

Plus dont you find it ironic that you think this is so horrible (which it is) but not because of those who's lives were taken from them but because of the loose gun laws when you support abortion. You dont really give a *** what Foley did to those children (and what he did should be investigated if he did anything), you just hate the fact that he was a republican and saw it as an opportunity to bash the opponents and get some votes. You dont seem to care that most likely it was democrats covering up Foley's actions until 40 days before the elections when it was known for over three years and had been under investigation headed up by republicans. If you truly cared about the children there would have been outrage because of what he said when he said it.

You dont really care about the children, In fact the districts that support dems have the fewest number of children and married people in them. The liberals just wish they could have taken the children%u2019s lives when they were still in their mother's womb because abortion is your defining issue.

[YankeeZ]

My heart goes out to the victims in this terrible incident. The Amish are an example of a hard working, highly moral people, living by their own self-imposed standards. I had visited this area of Lancaster county 2 weeks ago on a motorcycle trip, and had met several of the Amish students who were at a train museum there. It seems as hard as people try to shield themselves from what is bad in the world, somehow it manages to get them anyway.

[tonyh41]

It is absolutely the republicans fault!!! They keep getting money from the big gun companies and as long as they do, this kind of tragedy will continue. In England shootings are rare---because guns are difficult to buy at your local WalMart. To say teachers should have guns in the classroom will just make it easier for students to shoot principals. By the way, spoons do not shoot bullets.

[thgdriver]

It's not easy access to guns that is the problem.

If guns were not available some nut would ram a car into the front door of a school letting out kids.

Guns don't kill anyone, no more then a car would,

Humans kill humans!

I want to say I don't have the answer. I guess not even an armed guard would help.

[stranger45-2009]

to SharonAC

Each of these school tragedies are not rational act. Those people consider themselves dead even before the start. Its not a hasard the shooter always end shooting himself. Assuring them an easy death instead of a facing their act in detention will only encourage them.

[jumkey]

If there were no guns these kids would be alive today. Because they were killed with guns. That's about as simple as it gets. Straight line cause and effect.

Now watch as the gun lovers spin and spin and spin and spin and 8 more kids die tomorrow.

[rsoxfan1123]

ShutupMurtha, not all dems agree with abortion, and believe me, Bush doesn't really care about it either. To the republican party it is a political hot button they push to get votes because they know that know matter how badly they screw our country and the middle class, you can always get one-issue people to allow themselves to be screwed and to vote against their own interests when you talk about guns and abortion.

[zardah]

tony h shows the tendency of the far left to hijack any news that they can twist into a political platform, however wobbley, and use it for a pulpit for their ultimate interest, the socialist agenda... how pathetic, to use the death of children for your political angst.. truely shows where your REAL interests lies.

For others, this is a time to see that people, regardless of they're motivation, are using the media as they're transport to 15 minutes of fame, using what they KNOW will get them that, acts of shock, horror, terror. If they can't get guns, they will (as in England) use C-4, or as in another event that took place years ago in Oklahoma, Cow Manure.. now, how are you going to ban cow manure? And if that is banned, their are tons of other household cleaners, etc., that can be whipped into a handy device of one kind or another..

For now, let's just pause, bow our heads, say our prayers for the children and the families.. and cherish our own families with a little extra energy today!

[rsoxfan1123]

and why aren't the murder rates in those countries as high as they are here?

[listen4-2009]

There are many interesting and valid comments and suggestions that have been posted because of this and other senseless tragedies in recent weeks. Right now, in towns across our country, there are many disturbed humans sitting alone in dark rooms, plotting to see how they can make headlines by killing our loved ones.

My prayer is that this Christian nation would recognize that we are not fighting the flesh. This is a spiritual fight between angels and demons. This war can only be fought on our knees in prayer to God. Even if it sounds hokey to you, at least try it, we can%u2019t let this go on. Pray against the evil that is in this world. Join us at listenministries.com as we pray for our world, our nation and our families.

[redtigerlady]

What's that organizations' name that "Moses" was president of? They should be shot. Guns should be outlawed!

[zardah]

I see "Junkey" posted "On average, 8 children a day in the US die in murders, suicides and accidents involving guns." You might be just as alarmed to know that twice that number are murdered each day by HAND (chocking, hitting) and more with non-bullet firing instruments (knives, bricks, bats, ash trays) .. and ten times that number by drunks...

Junkey uses statistics like a drunk uses a lamp-post, more for staggering support then for illumination..

[ellygumera]

Immediately after the Columbine massacre, I posted this comment at the Florida Times Union:

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/042499/opl_Satlette.html

Saturday, April 24, 1999

Story last updated at 11:55 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 1999

SCHOOL TRAGEDY

Put in stricter security system

In light of some tragic school incidents, I sincerely think the school systems should implement stricter security measures to deter even the idea or the thoughts of some to create another scene of bloody violence.

1) There is to be one entry/one exit point to the school/college/university.

(2) These entry points (one to enter and the other to exit) are manned by security personnel, with metal detectors and radio contact to the nearest police on the campus.

(3) All bags must be opened for visual or physical inspection (when the need arises or as determined by the sentry).

(4) All students must wear their school identification cards; no ID, no entry.

(5) All vehicles coming to the campus must be inspected. Luggage compartments must be opened for inspection. All vehicles have ID decals on their windows. No decal, no entry.

(6) For school buses, all people must use the same entry points everyone else is using.

I do realize this would be time consuming for the students. But, I think this is the only way to prevent similar bloody incidents in the future.

God, I pray they don't do this thing again. It is so heartbreaking.

EPIFANIO GUMERA

Jacksonville

[generey]

To repeat what thgdriver said, I too dont have an answer. This country (world for that matter) is getting worse by the day, yet government leaders say it is a better world / life today than in the past.??? Mabye for them - they are over paid, have security / bodyguards and live lives of luxury, & I'm not even going to go into the "page" thing. That all has nothing to do with this; again, I dont know the answer, but things are not getting any better. All these kid's never even having a chance in life, yet humans are classified as the most intelligent form of life on earth. Yea right. My DOG has more compassion.

[redtigerlady]

I just remembered the organizations' name myself "NRA" Baddddddddddd to the Bone!!!!!!!!!

[cantshutup]

listen4...!!! listen up, this is not a "christian" nation...this is a nation made up of many religions, not entirely christian...christianity does not solve problems, that is proven through history...what solves problems is people who recognize weaknesses and correct them...i am so grateful for our founding fathers who recognized that seperation of church and state was a very good idea...these school shootings are not going to be solved by falling to knees and praying...the problems will only be solved through rational thought, good planning and deligence!!!

[larakatz]

It is simply heartbreaking that our society can't do better than this. Americans are so lucky, and we take so much of what we do have for granted. I don't believe that there is any simple fix for the school shootings problem, but certainly parents preventing children's access to weapons would be a start. I worry that as we become increasingly concerned about keeping our children safe in school, we are going to divert funding and focus from academics to safety. Certainly both are crucial, but we cannot turn schools into protected institutions where so much money is spent on metal detectors and guards that there is none left to pay teachers and educate our country's future leaders.

[rsoxfan1123]

zardah , I am not against people owning guns, but the thing is they make killing so easy, efficient and accessible. My cousin shot himself last saturday night. he got into an argument with his wife, who left him. in a moment of whatever (studity, I suppose) he shot himself, removing his jaw and most of his face. coming to his senses, he called 911 but couldn't talk. They traced the call and he is fighting for his life even as i write this.

[lucee2]

Parents and Society are the ones to blame - not the guns. Guns have been around for centuries. This problem has not. Society does not allow discpline therefor children learn no respect or proper behaviour. There is a differnce between discipline and abuse. Why can't people get that through their heads?
Parents have the responsibility to teach their children structure and morality and quit letting them run the house. What happened to the times when your parents cared where you were and who your friends were? Not allowing you to sit in front of the violence on TV and these ridiculous video games. Time to stop blaming everyone and everything else for not properly raising your children and be the PARENT. The gift of children is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right.

[rsoxfan1123]

stupidity, I meant

[thgdriver]

Ok, lets say we ban guns then what?
We baned alcohal, remember prohabition?, Diden't work, in fact it caused more crime and killing.

Tell you what jumkey, you get all the guns off the nuts, purverts , drug attics , drug dealers, and yes kid killers and other assorted criminals across america. Let me know when you have them "ALL". Guns save lives every day jumkey, we just won't hear or those statistics from "YOU" or "CBS".

[rsoxfan1123]

thgdriver, read my entry

[zardah]

"Junkey" uses statistics the same way a drunk uses a lamp-post .. more for support then illumination..

"On average, 8 children a day in the US die in murders, suicides and accidents involving guns."

Well, on average, three times as many die each day from drunks, and twice as many die from bare handed murder (domestic violence.)

If not by guns, killers will use C-4, box-cutters (remember 911?), or cow manure (Oklahoma) .. so grow up Junkey.. those children are still warm although deceased, and there you are, standing on their bodies, using them as your pulpit to preach your political angst, how pathetic! You are a prime example of what is the worst about the left!

There is a time for political talk, and a time to stand silently next to the families of those slain.. know the difference and have some respect.

[generey]

I am somewhat familiar with Amish tradition's but does anyone know whether or not they hunt or utilize guns in any way? I dont THINK they believe in firearms; I KNOW they dont believe in violence.

[id231-2009]

Easy access to guns the entire problem? that is where I can say I disagree. I agree that it's the individual that kills another, not the firearm. Would restricting gun purchasing really solve the problem? Placing more regulations on guns would only make the problem worse, since people seem to have a nasty habit of wanting what they can't have. They'll find a loophole to get what they want regardless of the law, knowing the consequences ahead of time if they are caught by authorities. What's stopping a teenager from purchasing(or stealing) a gun illegally, and how can you put laws on someone who is going to kill themselves at the end before they can even be punished? Simple. You can't. The only force that can judge him now is God, and all we can do is pray for both the troubled individual and the victims of the tragedy. There's nothing we could have done. I'm sure this problem today has deeper roots than we think.

[wpeters5-2009]

If those kids were killed with ball bats would you call for a ban on Ameica's favorite past time? If they were killed with knives what would you ban? You can't enter a courthouse with a gun or a knife. Butyou can enter most schoolswith either or. The schools can't afford security you say. I say they can't afford not to. Wise up!

[dukeudevil]

rsoxfan1123, suicide rates are higher in Japan than in the United States, but guns are virtually non-existent in the general population. I understand your sadness and anger regarding the role a gun (rifle or pistol?) played in your cousin's injuries, but one cannot blame guns here any more than in Japan where other weapons take their place.

However, what remedy is there for the sicknesses in a society that do not leave its children safe in their schools? I do not know and that ignorance compounds the sadness and senselessness of the tragedies.

[jumkey]

What's hard to understand here?

To suggest that these 4 would have died in car crashes or been choked to death or bludgeoned if they hadn't is just plain stupid.

[cathylc-2009]

My prayers and thoughts of support and love go out to the families of all those who have been hurt or killed today as well as all the young ones who were tramatized by what they saw today. May the world one day see the need to take notice of the signs of those who are that sick or devestated by something that would bring them to these types of actions, and may we all become more aware that the hurts we bring to others can manifest themselves some way in the future - whether it be a broken heart - or a broken mind.

[gonzo2479]

While I understand the sentiments of outrage, please don't turn this into a political battle. The people who died deserve more than that. These people did not die for a political ideal, they died because a deranged madman killed them. While a stiffer gun law may have prevented them from being shot, it may not have stopped the lunatic from using another instrument of death.

On a side note, I have to drive by this school on my way home from work. Most days I see these kids walking home from school. They always waved, they were always friendly. This changes everything for that entire community. My thoughts and prayers go out to those people.