Update: The final toll came to 20 children ages 6 and 7, as well as 6 school faculty members and the shooters mother. Names of the victims have been released, including:

Dawn Hochsprung, 47 (Principal); Mary Sherlach, 56 (School Psychologist); Victoria Soto, 27 (First-grade teacher); Anne Marie Murphy, 52 (Special Education teacher); Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau, 30 (permanent substitute teacher); Nancy Lanza, 52 (mother of gunman); Rachel D’Avino, 29 (intern at Sandy Hook); Charlotte Bacon, 6; Daniel Barden, 7; Olivia Engel, 6; Josephine Gay, 7; Ana Marquez-Green, 6; Dylan Hockley, 6; Madeleine F. Hsu, 6; Catherine V. Hubbard, 6; Chase Kowalski, 7; Jesse Lewis, 6; James Mattioli, 6; Grace McDonnell, 7; Emilie Parker, 6; Jack Pintoo, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Banjamin Wheeler, 6; Allison N. Wyatt, 6; Noah Pozner, 6.

For more information about the victims, visit http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/15/15930533-victims-in-connecticut-shooting-daring-principal-fun-loving-teacher-6-year-old-twin-brother?lite

It’s being called “one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S history” according to CNN.com. Around 9:40 Friday morning, a call was placed to Connecticut state police from Newtown, CT. A gunman opened fire on Sandy Hook elementary school, claiming 27 lives, including 18 children. The school’s principal and psychologist were among the dead. The associated press confirmed the 24-year-old gunman as Adam Lanza, whose body was found in a classroom by police. It is unknown at this time whether his death was self inflicted or from another cause. With him, police found two weapons including a Glock and a Sig Sauer. The gunman’s older brother Ryan Lanza is being held for questioning as a possible second gunman. Nancy Lanza, the man’s mother, was found dead in her home.

Anna Anderson is the News Editor for The Spartan Speaks.

Maddie Mayhew is the Editor in Chief – Online for The Spartan Speaks.