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Victoria Soto Sacrificed Own Life to Save Kids in Sandy Hook Elementary
As stunned, grief-stricken Americans continue to mourn the victims of Friday’s shooting massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, at least one story of incredible courage and sacrifice has emerged.
Victoria Soto, a 27-year-old first-grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, lost her life during Adam Lanza’s violent rampage — but not before saving her students from a similar fate.
According to reports, Soto rushed her young pupils into closets and cabinets when she heard gunfire, hiding them from Lanza and telling him that her class had gone to the gym.
The gunman murdered Soto as she protected the children before eventually taking his own life.
Lanza killed 27 people — including 20 kids, all aged 6 or 7 — but the death toll would surely have been higher if not for Soto’s instincts and sacrifice.
On Saturday, as Soto’s story was reported, Facebook tributes to the late teacher went viral and her name became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter.
The heroism demonstrated by Soto and the others who risked everything to save as many children as possible, even as their own lives were imperiled, serves as inspiration in these dark and deeply upsetting circumstances.
Rest in peace.
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Comments
Jway is correct to question
Jway is correct to question if this is the truth. It took years to discover the real truth about the Columbine shootings because the media & religious zealots created so many myths about the victims the police had a difficult time getting down to the truth. http://m.voices.yahoo.com/columbine-school-shootings-myth-truth-3156506.html
The tv, radio & Internet media is in a ratings race and they aren't subject to the same rules of accuracy imposed on the press. Except for the facts that are self-evident( like a body count), it's best to take any details with a grain of pessimism. FOX news is known for exaggerating & outright lying, but other news sources are only to happy to quote second-hand sources who are simply speculating themselves on the events that occurred. This school had new security system and practiced regular emergency drills. It was as prepared as any school in the US. I'm sure every teacher & administrator acted bravely & conscientiously, which saved as many children as possible. Sadly, no human being could have saved everyone in this situation. We are at the point where we either admit Americans are just savages who have to carry arms to work, to the movie theaters, to church, school and even inside their homes, or we start seriously finding ways to keep guns & ammunition out of the hands of the mentally ill & emotionally irresponsible. Do we want everyone over 18 to have to carrying concealed weapons? That isn't my preference. I like shooting & owning guns as much as the next person, but I don't drink, use drugs or have a mental disorder. I bet 2/3rds of the NRA membership CAN'T say the same!
No, jway's comment was
No, jway's comment was incorrect for the simple reason that it was pointless. How many people will be brought back from the dead by questioning the actions of a dead woman? How many "lessons" will be learned? How would it change any future security measures in schools? The answer to all of these is none. The only thing that can come out of it is to possibly hurt her family members if they were to see it. Our country is grieving. This is a time for sensitivity and tact, and to THINK about what you say before saying it.
Just curious, how do we know
Just curious, how do we know that Ms. Soto did that? Did the children mention it??
Times can blind us to certain truths and later generations can see that laws once thought necessary and proper in fact serve only to oppress.
The woman is dead. At least
The woman is dead. At least be sensitive enough not to try and impugn her memory. What can possibly be gained by such cruelty?