Salon.com > Peter Lanza

Parents of Newtown victims meet with killer’s father

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:04:00 +0000

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — The parents of one of the 20 first-graders killed in the Newtown, Conn., school massacre say they met with the gunman's father for over an hour in an effort bring some closure to the tragedy.

Alissa Parker told "CBS This Morning" in an excerpt of an interview that aired Thursday that she wanted to meet with Adam Lanza's father, Peter Lanza, to tell him "something" she needed to get out of her system.

It was unclear what they discussed or when the meeting took place. CBS plans to show the rest of the interview with Alissa and Robbie Parker on Friday morning, revealing more details about their meeting with Peter Lanza.

The Parkers' 6-year-old daughter, Emilie, died in December's shooting rampage. They tell CBS they wanted to ask Peter Lanza about his son's medical history and other issues.

Lanza family to Newtown: We “express our heartfelt sorrow”

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Investigators tried to figure out what led a bright but painfully awkward 20-year-old to slaughter 26 children and adults at a Connecticut elementary school, while townspeople sadly took down some of their Christmas decorations and struggled Saturday with how to go on.

The tragedy brought forth soul-searching and grief around the globe. Families as far away as Puerto Rico began to plan funerals for victims who still had their baby teeth, world leaders extended condolences, and vigils were held around the U.S.

Relatives of the shooter, whose victims included his mother, were at a loss for words.

"The whole family is traumatized by this event," said a police official who knows the family. A family statement read: "We reach out to the community of Newtown and express our heartfelt sorrow for this incomprehensible and profound loss of innocence."

Amid the sorrow, stories of heroism emerged, including an account of the Sandy Hook Elementary School principal and the school psychologist who lost their lives rushing toward the gunman, Adam Lanza, in an attempt to stop him.

Peter Lanza: Suspect’s father learned news from a reporter

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:30:00 +0000

What do we know about Adam Lanza's father, Peter?

According to a harrowing story in the Stamford Advocate, a reporter broke the news to him Friday afternoon about his son Adam's alleged involvement in the Newtown massacte.

"Is there something I can do for you?" he asked me, after stopping his blue Mini Cooper in his driveway and rolling down the window. He wore a blue-and-white striped button-down shirt, his hair neatly parted to side.

I told him I was a reporter for the Stamford Advocate, and I was surprised that no click of recognition flash across his face. So I continued, explaining that I'd been told someone at his address had been linked to the shootings in Newtown.

His expression twisted from patient, to surprise to horror; it was obvious that this moment, shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday, was the first time he had considered his family could have been involved. He quickly declined to comment, rolled up the window, parked in the right side of the two-car garage and closed the door.

Moments later he sat at a table in the front of his three-bedroom house, a phone to his left ear and a palm to his right cheek.