While watching new coverage tonight, I heard the police may release some information about the "very good evidence" they uncovered as to what lead a man to walk into an elementary school and take the lives of innocent children and educators. However, before we find ourselves lost in the horrors of whatever information they release, please take a moment to think about what the real reason is.
Through our tears we ask "Why did this happen?" to process the grief, the loss and the terror. I have asked myself this question dozens of times over the last 36 hours. I have watched the television coverage late into the night, listening to the unfounded theories of the killer seeking revenge on his mother's former school, only to find out she never worked there. I have watched reporters ask his neighbors to describe him, inquiring if he was bullied or angry, only to hear that he was smart and quiet. I have heard reports that the school did not follow its safety procedures and buzzed him into the building, only to learn that he broke the glass and bursted through their doors. While truly frustrated over this terrible journalism, I think I understand why we rush to judgement. We need to place a map of reason on top of this chaotic scene, so we can see the path that lead up to Friday.
Our need to know is understandable. Perhaps we want to know why it happened so we can better know the danger signs to look for in others, although I am sure we will hear many times that this reclusive man showed no signs of being capable of this kind of evil. We always do. Perhaps we want to know why to reassure ourselves that our family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors demonstrate none of these behaviors, so we can believe a little longer that our towns and children will be safe. Perhaps we want to know why so we can use this man as an example of what happens to children who are neglected or abused or bullied or untreated or ignored or entitled or play video games. Perhaps we just can't believe this treacherous darkness exists in someone's soul.
Over the next week, we will hear many details about the killer's life, which may provide some explanation of his capacity for this purest form of evil. Yet as I stare at the television and sob, I know there is one clear reason this happened.
A deranged young man had access to a .233 semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle, a .10mm Glock and a .9 Sig Sauer. And that is why 20 sets of parents have empty beds in their homes tonight. That is the reason.
God Bless Newtown, Connecticut.
