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 Gunman Adam Lanza found it "relatively easy" to shoot his way into
the building, which had a wide open entry area, said Robert
Ducibella, founder of DVS Security Consulting and Engineering and a
member of the governor-appointed commission.
"This is a school built in 1954, and we know (Lanza) was easily able
to shoot his way into the lobby and then get to his targets
quickly," Ducibella said. "Future school design must make it both
more difficult to penetrate buildings with stronger glazed glass, as
well as adding vestibules and doorways. The longer you can delay
entrance, the more time you are allowing police to arrive at the
scene."
The building that formerly housed Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Newtown, Connecticut, was torn down late last year. A new building
on the property, funded by a $49.3 million state grant, is expected
to open by December 2016.
Ducibella said making the sorts of changes he recommends could
"delay someone trying to shoot their way into the building between
six to eight minutes that could make all the difference" in
preventing future massacres.
Lanza, who began his December 14, 2012, rampage by shooting his
mother dead in their home, killed 20 children and six adults at the
school he had once attended before turning his gun on himself.
State police have released a series of records on the incident,
including details on the legally purchased firearms and ammunition
in the shooter's home, 911 calls made during the attack and photos
of the school after the shooting.
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The records, however, have offered little clarity on Lanza's
possible motives. A state attorney's report in November said "that
question may never be answered conclusively."
Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, who chairs the 16-member group, said he
is optimistic that Lanza's father will hand over his son's school
and medical records for a review. Jackson told commission members he
has spoken to an attorney for Lanza's father.
"We've got to have it, several of the psychiatric doctors on this
commission believe this information is vital," said Jackson. "We are
trying ... to truly understand why this individual acted out in such
a violent way."
Lanza's father could not be immediately reached for comment.
(Editing by Scott Malone, Amanda Kwan and David Gregorio)
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