Much to our complete and utter shock, I read, on Drudge, about the horrible Colorado-type shooting that occurred in a one-room Amish schoolhouse, in Lancaster County, earlier this morning. The local paper had this report (which brought me to tears). The Ironman and I just heard two copters flying over the airspace above our home.
Bart Township is located near Quarryville, Penn. to the south of Manheim Township.
Update: The school has grades 1-8, approximately 30 children, ages 6-15. Several of the victims had multiple gunshot wounds. All the male students were allowed to safely depart from the school building by the now deceased gunman, Charles Roberts, who lived in the area. He was a milk man and father of three. The female students were held hostage and several were shot execution-style. A spokesperson for the state police department explained that Roberts "was getting revenge for something that happened 20 years ago, and it involved young females." Sick.
Update 2: Two more children have died. To date, no Amish, as given their tradition, have spoken to the media but only asked for prayer via a spokesperson. About 30,000 Amish live in Lancaster County.
Update 3: The killer is being described as someone who was "deeply Christian."
Update 4: Given the horrific episode in Bart Township (and the fact that urban Lancaster isn't the safest place), the Amish may want to start bolting the doors to their schools.
Update 5: The ugly information about this "normal" guy doesn't stop.
I'm unclear what this means (and maybe I don't want to know), but Roberts had earned a diploma through a "homeschool association." Shades of David Ludwig?
Update 6: The funerals of these little girls will be tasteful and simple.