Police say 27 dead after Connecticut school shooting

XINHUA/ Zhang Jun

Manifestantes a favor de una legislación para el control de armas, sostienen velas durante vigilia en memoria de las víctimas del tiroteo en la escuela primaria Sandy Hook, en Washington D.C.

14/12/2012 - CONNECTICUT - More than two dozen people, mostly children, were shot and killed at a Newtown elementary school this morning by a heavily armed man who was killed inside the building.

"The shooter is deceased inside the building," Connecticut State Police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance said at a news conference. "The public is not in danger."

The gunman has been identified as Ryan Lanza, 24, of New Jersey. A dead body has also been found in his home, officials said. Sources said Lanza was armed with four weapons and wearing a bullet-proof vest when he opened fire in the elementary school.

Authorities initially believed that there were two gunmen and were searching cars around the school. It is currently unclear whether there is still a suspect at large.

The massacre prompted the town of Newtown to lock down all its schools and draw SWAT teams to the school, authorities said today.

President Obama was briefed on the shooting by FBI Director Robert Mueller.

It's unclear how many people have been shot, but 27 people, mostly children, are dead. That number could rise, officials said.