Article archive / December 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 4. Source pages: 6.
The Connecticut state’s attorney released their report of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary, “Report of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury on the Shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and 36 Yogananda Street, Newtown Connecticut on December 14, 2012.” The 48 page report reviewed evidence and also drew some conclusions regarding the Newtown mass murder.
The authors concluded that the shooter, Adam Lanza, had significant mental health issues but what contribution this made to his criminal actions, the authors wrote, is “… unknown as those mental health professionals who saw him did not see anything that would have predicted his future behavior.”
The report notes that Lanza had been evaluated several times over the years, being described as having speech and language needs, being treated for seizures, having repetitive behaviors and tantrums as a youngster, and being diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2005. He had significant social impairments, “extreme anxiety,” and was considered a special education student. He refused to take suggested medication or participate in behavior therapy, said the authors.
The authors of the report also stated that no drugs were found in Lanza’s system.
They wrote that one of the internet blogs that the shooter posted on, “… focused on mass shootings and in particular the Columbine shootings.” The report said Lanza had exchanged emails “… with other who were interested in the topic of mass shootings.” But, the authors commented, “None of these communi- cations, however, related to the SHES or in any way suggested that the shooter intended to commit a mass shooting.”
The authors also wrote, “He was undoubtedly afflicted with mental health problems; yet despite a fascination with mass shootings and firearms, he displayed no aggressive or threatening tendencies,” the authors wrote.
It is not clear if the authors had profess- sional help in reaching conclusions. The full report is available online.
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