Parents pick up their children at Sandy Hook Elementary School after gunmen kill at least 27.

UPDATE: The name of the shooter is Adam Lanza not his brother, Ryan, who was originally identified.  Sadly, it appears the target of the mass shooting was the brothers’ mother, who was a teacher’s aide at the elementary school. The shooter is reported to have killed his mother before arriving at the school at 9:40AM EST and then turning the gun on himself. There really are no words to describe the horrific nature of this tragedy.   Their father also was found dead in their home.

Today, at least one gunman (possibly two) opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut killing at least 27 people, mostly children. One gunman has been killed, the second possible gunman is rumored to be in custody, according to CBS News. Like Colorado’s Aurora theater shooting in July, the cruelty of such an act is unthinkable.

The first 911 call was received at 9:41 a.m. Eastern Time, and noted that students were trapped in a classroom with a gunman.  At 12:19 p.m. ET, federal agents remained on guard at the elementary school as parents picked their children up. At 12:24 p.m. ET were seen running into the wooded area behind the school with weapons drawn. As of 12:57 p.m., the fatality count has reached more than 25.

As Colorado recently a similar senseless act of violence, we stand with the families in Connecticut who have been affected by the shooting.  As the story unravels and talking heads try to make heads and tails of such horrific violence, let’s be clear – there is no acceptable rationale for taking someone else’s life.  And, the killing of innocent elementary school students, who are just beginning their lives, seems particularly unfair and unjust.

While one shooter is dead (and we’re hoping there’s a very special place in hell for people like him who kill innocent children), another is in custody.  We can only hope that this shooter is brought to justice sooner rather than later – not that there’s a suitable remedy for someone so deserving of horrific punishment.

Most importantly,  our hearts go out to the families in Connecticut who may just now be learning of the fate of their loved ones.  We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.