Gunman who slaughtered 20 young children forced his way into the building, police have said The bodies of 20 children and six adults slaughtered by a gunman in a quiet Connecticut town were removed from the blood-soaked school Saturday as police searched for a motive in the massacre. The formal identification of the victims in one of America's worst mass shootings marked a new chapter for horrified residents of Newtown, Connecticut, where Friday morning a 20 year-old man walked in with at least two powerful pistols and shot everyone he could find in two rooms of the Sandy Hook Elementary School.
By early this morning, authorities were able to "positively identify all of the victims" and formally notify their families, said Connecticut State Police spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vance.
The removal of bodies, which were initially left for investigators, "has been accomplished," he said on CBS television. "That was done overnight."
The gunman, identified by US media as Adam Lanza, shot dead 18 children inside the school and two more died of their wounds shortly afterwards. Six adults, including the school principal, perished before the gunman died -- apparently in a suicide.
He also is believed to have shot his mother in her house in the town prior to driving to the school, armed to the teeth and clad in black.
Authorities have offered few clues as to the motive for the shootings in Newtown, a wooded and picturesque small town northeast of New York City.
Vance said investigators had to "peel back the onion, layer by layer and examine every crack and crevice" of the school.
"The detectives will analyze everything and put a complete picture together of the evidence that they did obtain. We're hopeful, we're hopeful that tell paint a complete picture as to how and why this entire incident, unfortunate incident occurred," he told a news conference.
New details emerged of the horror that unfolded early Friday, shortly after classes started at the well regarded public school, where a new security system had just been installed.
Vance said the shooter forced his way in. Police then entered from several points, breaking "many windows" as they frantically tried to get survivors out and to locate the gunman.
Mary Ann Jacob, who works in the school library, told reporters Saturday that she had sheltered 18 children during the mayhem.
"We were locked in our room," she said. "It was hard to keep them quiet. We told them it was joke, I think they didn't really know what was going on."
World leaders expressed shock and horror following the incident. UN chief Ban Ki-moon wrote to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy to give his "deepest condolences at the shocking murders," a statement said.
"The targeting of children is heinous and unthinkable," he added in condemning the "horrendous" crime.
European Union diplomacy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "shock" at the "tragic shooting."
The head of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso spoke of his "deep shock and horror" upon hearing of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which he called a "terrible tragedy."
"Young lives full of hope have been destroyed," he said in a statement.
There were almost no non-fatal injuries, indicating that once targeted, there was rarely any chance of escape, and that the gunman, believed to be 20-year-old Adam Lanza, was unusually accurate or methodical in his fire.
"The news is just awful. The thoughts and prayers of Canadians are with the students and families in CT affected by this senseless violence," Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrote on his Twitter account.
His Foreign Minister John Baird said Canadians "stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends at this difficult time."
The child victims were reported to be aged between five and 10.
Pope Benedict XVI sent a letter of condolence to the community, which was read aloud at a vigil in Newtown Friday evening.
"I ask God our father to console all those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love," the pope wrote, according to US media.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said he "was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about today's horrific shooting."
"My thoughts are with the injured and those who have lost loved ones. It is heartbreaking to think of those who have had their children robbed from them at such a young age, when they had so much life ahead of them."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to President Barack Obama in which she said she was "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear of the shootings.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth are with the families and friends of those killed and with all those who have been affected by today's events."
French President Francois Hollande also extended his condolences in a message to Obama.
"This news horrified me and I wish to express my deep shock and consternation," Hollande said.
The foreign ministry also issued a message in which it offered "France's full support to the American people and authorities."
Mexico's newly inaugurated president, Enrique Pena Nieto, also expressed his support to the US after the deadly shooting.
"My solidarity with the American people and President @BarackObama after the tragedy this morning in Connecticut," he wrote on Twitter.
And Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said "Australia grieves with America today following the mass shooting of primary school children and teachers in Connecticut.
"Like President Obama and his fellow Americans, our hearts too are broken.
"We share America's shock at this senseless and incomprehensible act of evil."
Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Saturday offered his support for the tragedy, expressing "deep admiration over the manner in which the American people have reached out to comfort the afflicted."
"We pray for healing, and that this heartbreak will never be visited on any community ever again," he said in a statement.
Iran was quick on Saturday to express condolences after the "tragic" shooting rampage.
Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast condemned the "tragic incident" and expressed sympathy with the families of the victims, the state broadcaster's website IRIB reported.
He also called on American society to mobilise against "warmongering and the massacre of innocent people anywhere, through terrorism, whether state-sponsored or not."

Source: AFP