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December 19, 2012

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Funerals continue in Connecticut as most children return to school

MOST children in Newtown, Connecticut, returned to school for the first time yesterday, as the toll of funerals for the 26 dead continued on a gray, wet day.

Meanwhile, the United States national debate on gun control sharpened as a prominent investor said it would sell shares in the company that makes the rifle thought to be used in last Friday's rampage.

A hearse arrived at a Catholic church carrying the casket of 6-year-old James Mattioli, one of the 20 young students killed. At least one other funeral was planned - for 6-year-old Jessica Rekos - as well as several wakes, including one for teacher Victoria Soto, who has been praised as a hero for sacrificing herself to save several students in one of the worst mass shootings in US history.

Security remained high, and the small, affluent Connecticut community was still on edge as the rest of the country prepared for the Christmas holidays.

"There's going to be no joy in school," said 17-year-old PJ Hickey. "It really doesn't feel like Christmas anymore."

In a sign of investors distancing themselves from gun makers, private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management announced it would sell its stake in major arms manufacturer Freedom Group.

It said in a statement, "It is apparent that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a watershed event that has raised the national debate on gun control to an unprecedented level."

The mystery of why a smart but severely withdrawn 20-year-old, Adam Lanza, shot his mother to death in bed before rampaging through Sandy Hook Elementary, killing 20 children ages 6 and 7, was as deep as ever.

Sandy Hook Elementary will remain closed indefinitely.

Investigators say Lanza had no ties to the school he attacked, and they have found no letters or diaries that could explain why he targeted it.




 

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