New Haven (Connecticut): An arsenal of weapons including guns, a gun safe with shotgun shells, a bayonet and several swords were found in the home of the gunman who carried out the Newtown school massacre, according to search warrants released on Thursday.
Adam Lanza killed 26 people inside Sandy Hook Elementary School and took his own life within five minutes of shooting his way into the building, State`s Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III said in a statement accompanying the release of the warrants in the Dec 14 massacre.
The extensive inventory of the evidence seized from Lanza`s home and the car he drove to carry out the massacre provided glimpses into the world of the reclusive gunman.
Prosecutors until now had made few details available, despite pressure to do so from the governor, who criticized leaks to the press and lawmakers who clamored for more details as they craft legislation on mental health and gun control.
The documents say Lanza was found dead in the school wearing a bulletproof vest and military-style clothing.
The massacre was one of a string of high-profile mass shootings that galvanized a heated ongoing debate on gun control in the United States. A package of gun control measures is making its way through Congress. It does not include an assault weapons ban, though states like Connecticut are considering imposing one.
Sedensky says Lanza killed all 26 victims inside Sandy Hook Elementary School with a Bushmaster .223-caliber rifle before taking his own life with a Glock 10 mm handgun. He says Lanza had another loaded handgun with him inside the school as well as three, 30-round magazines for the Bushmaster.
A loaded 12-gauge shotgun was found in the glove compartment of the Honda Civic Lanza drove to the school with two magazines containing 70 rounds of Winchester 12-gauge shotgun rounds.
At the house, investigator found books about autism and Asperger`s syndrome as well as an NRA guide to pistol shooting.
Police said they found a smashed computer hard drive, a gaming console and a gun safe in Lanza`s bedroom. An unnamed source told investigators that Lanza was an avid gamer who played "Call of Duty" and other games and rarely left his home.
Investigators found articles on other shootings and a holiday card containing a check made out to Adam Lanza for the purchase of a firearm, authored by his mother, Nancy Lanza. Documents indicate authorities found a brown gun safe with shotgun shells and numerous boxes of bullets. In a bedroom closet, they found ear plugs, a handwritten note regarding ammunition and magazines, paperwork on guns and a metal bayonet.
In a top drawer of a filing cabinet, they found paper targets. In a duffel bag, they found ear and eye protection, binoculars, numerous paper targets and Lanza`s NRA certificate.
Authorities found numerous knives, including samurai swords. They found a military-style uniform in Lanza`s bedroom and handwritten notes containing the addresses of local gun shops.
PTI
