THIS is the face of crazed gunman Adam Lanza who shot dead 27 in an American school rampage.
Cops said Lanza forced his way into the school before silently walking through and opening fire — leaving among his victims, 20 children aged five to ten.
The massacre was the worst school shooting in a nation notoriously plagued by them.
CONNECTICUT police confirm that at least 27 people - including 18 children have been killed.The manner of death for each of the victims was homicide, Carver said.
He added that two of the victims were shot at extremely close range, and each child was shot between three and 11 times.
Found dead ... Lanza's mum Nancy
Cops raced to Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, as the 20-year-old monster let rip with up to three weapons.
He too died after finally turning a weapon on himself. His mother Nancy was also found dead at her home.
Disbelief ... two young survivors
The school's principal, Dawn Hochsprung, was also among the dead.
Police were looking into claims that Lanza suffered from a personality disorder as they try to work out a motive for the horror.
Catherine Urso said her son knew the gunman and described him as "very thin, very remote and was one of the goths".
Others described him as an "honours student" and "a genius".
One shocked parent who rushed to the scene of the US school slaughter sobbed last night: “It was like a war zone.”
Lanza is believed to have killed his teacher mum at home before driving her car to the school and shooting innocent pupils in their classroom — and finally himself.
Another body was discovered at Lanza’s mother’s home near the scene of the shootings.
Fear ... a mother grasps her son
Police recovered two handguns from Lanza’s body — a Glock and a Sig Sauer.
A .223 calibre high-powered rifle was found in the grounds of the school, where pupils range from five to ten years old.
Principal Dawn Hochsprung and the school psychologist were thought to have died protecting pupils. The vice-principal escaped after being shot in the leg and alerted police.
No way out ... police marksmen swarm the school building
Connecticut State Police commander Lt Paul Vance said 20 children, seven adults and the attacker died in the massacre, which began at about 9.35am.
Horrified parents sped to the scene, hoping to be reunited with their traumatised kids.
Harrowing ... a woman waits to hear about her sister who works as a teacher at the school
Cops were last night carrying out searches at addresses in Connecticut and other states in connection with the shooting.
US President Barack Obama was kept regularly updated and called the state governor to express his condolences.
Too much to bear ... the parents of victims
One parent told how masked Lanza hammered on the door of a stockroom with 15 pupils and their teacher locked inside — yelling: “Let me in! Let me in!”
Escape ... a mother runs with her children as police stand guard
The mother said: “I want to thank my child’s music teacher. She saved their lives.
“The shooter kept banging on the door, but he didn’t get in.
“Now I have to explain to my nine-year-old son that his friends won’t be coming back.”
Distraught ... a woman comforts her child
Melissa Murphy, who lives near the school, monitored the horror using a police scanner.
She said: “I kept hearing them call for the mass casualty kit and scream, ‘Send everybody! Send everybody!’ It doesn’t seem like it’s real.”
Alert ... a father and son leave after being reunited
The brother of one student said he went to the school to get his sister and saw children being brought from the building.
He said his sister was crying and heard terrified screams coming over the intercom.
Security ... armed cops arrive at the school
The brother said: “When they were leaving the room state police were telling the students to hold hands and close their eyes until they were outside.”
Pain ... a woman holds a child as people line up to enter church
Witnesses said they heard a “pop pop pop” in the school hall outside a classroom.
POLICE release audio of their discussions as the shooting at Connecticut school unfolded
Lt Vance confirmed the shootings took place in two classrooms.
Helping police ... Ryan Lanza about to be driven off
Lanza’s 24-year-old brother Ryan was questioned by police in Hoboken, New Jersey. But officials said he was not under arrest and was not thought to have any connection to the killings.
State governor Dan Malloy told victims of the shooting: “We’re all in this together. Evil visited this community today.”
GONE TOO SOON: VICTIMS OF THE SANDY HOOK SCHOOL MASSACRE
CHILDREN:
Charlotte Bacon, 6
Daniel Barden, 7
Olivia Engel, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
Dylan Hockley, 6
Madeleine Hsu, 6
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Emilie Parker, 6
Jack Pinto, 6
Noah Pozner, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Jessica Rekos, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison N. Wyatt, 6
ADULTS:
Rachel Davino, 29
Dawn Hochsprung, 47
Anne Marie Murphy, 52
Lauren Russeau, 20
Mary Sherlach, 56
Victoria Soto, 27
May the souls of the departed Rest In Peace.
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