Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Sandy Hook and school board

The parents of two first graders killed in the horrific Sandy Hook shootings December 14, 2012 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the town and the Board of Education for inadequate security measures.

According to Ryser, writer for News Times, the lawsuit alleges that the school’s lockdown and evacuation plan was practiced prior to the shooting, but not implemented the day of the shooting, which “resulted in the death of 20 students”. While there was seemingly a plan of action, procedures and preparation failed when it came to substitute teacher Lauren Rousseau. The claim alleges the school failed to train Rousseau about the lockdown procedure and also did not give her a key that would have allowed her to lock the classroom.

The estates of first graders Jesse Lewis and Noah Pozner filed an additional lawsuit last month in state court against the maker and sellers of the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle that Lanza used in the shooting, stating the gun should not have been sold for civilian use because of its overwhelming firepower.

The lawsuit also argues that 20-year-old shooter, Adam Lanza, was able to get into the locked building because he was able to shoot his way through a large plate-glass window next to the locked front doors.

The lawsuit seeking more than $15,000 in damages, also faults the school for having classroom doors that could only be locked from the outside with keys.

The News Times reports that state police and the state child advocate said Lanza’s parents, educators and others missed signs of how deeply troubled he was and opportunities to steer him toward more appropriate treatment for his mental health problems.

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