PA - Five girls dead, 5 injured in Amish school shooting, 2 Oct 2006

[luthersmama]

Is there a sheriff department or state police that patrol? I think the major problem here (other that the complete, worthless ba$tard who did this) is lack of a phone to call help.

It is actually very common here in PA for the local municipality to not have its own police force. The State Police handle all of the areas that do not choose to maintain their own force. The State Police are also involved in most major crimes investigations. Lack of money, rather than lack of crime, is the main reason many Townships do not have police.

 

[ljwf22]

I'll bet these kids have never even been in car, can you iagine how they'd feel being in a helicopter or speeding ambulances with sirens going? Oh my Lord, this is a sad sad day.
Jubie

Jubie, I bet all have ridden in cars. They just can't own one. Many 'English' people living in Amish country make a living 'hauling Amish'.

 

[SadieMae]

Thank you for saying they will all pull together Shadow. I needed to hear that.

Three girls dead on the scene, one of which was an aid. Seven girls transported to hospitals. Coroners office reports 6 dead, which means 5 girls dead. Two girls taken to the hospital have died as well. Three of the seven girls transferred to finer medical facilities. That leave 2 girls that might not be as seriously injured, and possibly not shot in the head as almost all of them were.

I hope the three critical patients will come through. Think of this - 10 families in the immediate area are traumatized, five of them dealing with death, and five of them holding onto every bit of faith they have that their children will live.


Scandi

What would add to the pain is if siblings were killed. I don't want to even imagine losing my 2 children on the same day to some senseless horror.

 

[luthersmama]

Thank you for saying they will all pull together Shadow. I needed to hear that.

Three girls dead on the scene, one of which was an aid. Seven girls transported to hospitals. Coroners office reports 6 dead, which means 5 girls dead. Two girls taken to the hospital have died as well. Three of the seven girls transferred to finer medical facilities. That leave 2 girls that might not be as seriously injured, and possibly not shot in the head as almost all of them were.

I hope the three critical patients will come through. Think of this - 10 families in the immediate area are traumatized, five of them dealing with death, and five of them holding onto every bit of faith they have that their children will live.


Scandi

It is entirely likely that multiple children from a couple of families were involved. Each school serves a very small area. Amish families are large and most families in a particular area are related.

 

[Sundayrain]

Many people believe he will serve an eternity for this horror. On days like this, I like to think that's true.

Your right Glitch.......actually he will serve time for this...the gates are not going to open for him. May he get only the mercy he gave those tied up girls....none.

 

[scandi]

Thanks, I had no idea.

Scandi

 

[jubie]

Our Belgian draft horse mare is usually bred by an Amishman in Yoder, Kansas. We have formed friendships in that community and with other Amish who come regularly to the auctions where we buy and sell horses. I have many books on the Amish, some quite scholarly. Most will go to doctors and will also go to the hospital if it's vital. Others try to avoid it. There is a beautiful book written about the Amish by a Mennonite doctor who served one of their communities.

I'm curious about the shooter. I know the Amish around Lancaster produce and sell milk. The trucks come daily to pick it up. I wonder if that was the connection, but 20 years ago would have made him 12. I also know there are problems with some non-Amish kids around Lancaster. Not that long ago there was an entire family shot very near Lancaster, if I recall.

BarnGoddess,

I meant no disrespect by mentioning the little girls had probably never been in a car, nor did I mean that they were not cared for properly, sorry if it came across that way. They seem very peaceful and tight as a community. I just meant the ambulances and helicotpers must add to the already terrifying experience they're going through.... one minute happy in school and then this, just unimaginable.



Jubie

 

[jubie]

Jubie, I bet all have ridden in cars. They just can't own one. Many 'English' people living in Amish country make a living 'hauling Amish'.

Thanks for the info, thanks to you and BarnGoddess I've learned a little more today. :blowkiss:

 

[ljwf22]

Thanks for the info, thanks to you and BarnGoddess I've learned a little more today. :blowkiss:

You're welcome. I cannot imagine anything more horrific that what has happened today.

 

[luthersmama]

This must be much more shocking to the Amish community than it is to us. They probably have no knowledge of all the other incidences of school massacre since they don't watch media.

The Lancaster County Amish are pretty savvy. Although they don't usually have TV's at home, they do use the internet, believe it or not. They also ride in cars and listen to the radio and read newspapers and magazines. If they go to someone else's home or are in a public place they will happily watch tv. They are surrounded by suburban development and not all of them live on farms. Many of the young men work in local factories and see the tv in the breakroom or listen to the radio when they go in a friend's car. The young women work in "English" homes and schools and see tv and whatnot. They are nowhere near as isolated as you might think.

However...I can't remember anything like this ever happening. There are very bad car-buggy accidents now and then where a whole family is killed, but nothing like this. But nothing like this has happened in this part of the state in ANY school.

 

[SadieMae]

I didn't even think of this one. Was watching MSNBC and they brought up the similarities of this and the Colorado shooter of targeting the females. What sick, sick, F****s are in this world.

 

[SadieMae]

The Lancaster County Amish are pretty savvy. Although they don't usually have TV's at home, they do use the internet, believe it or not. They also ride in cars and listen to the radio and read newspapers and magazines. If they go to someone else's home or are in a public place they will happily watch tv. They are surrounded by suburban development and not all of them live on farms. Many of the young men work in local factories and see the tv in the breakroom or listen to the radio when they go in a friend's car. The young women work in "English" homes and schools and see tv and whatnot. They are nowhere near as isolated as you might think.

However...I can't remember anything like this ever happening. There are very bad car-buggy accidents now and then where a whole family is killed, but nothing like this. But nothing like this has happened in this part of the state in ANY school.

I had no idea! I thought all that was considered forbidden/sinful to them. Well I learned something new today. Guess I though they lived like what I've only seen in the movies. :doh:

 

[Sundayrain]

Scandi.....Yes, these are the people who when one of their barns burn down, come walking down the lane to put it back up the next day.
They all come in one big large group. There might be 60 to 100 (+) of the Amish...putting the barn back in no time at all. There are some very famous pictures of that. They will be there to help each other more then we can even imagine. Probably like we'd like all man-kind to be. They will come with foods and help.......an amazing group of people.
How in the world did this happen on one small school.....lost in the fields of the Lancaster area. ?

 

[luthersmama]

I had no idea! I thought all that was considered forbidden/sinful to them. Well I learned something new today. Guess I though they lived like what I've only seen in the movies. :doh:

In this area they are pretty much forced into the mainstream on a daily basis. At home they maintain their traditions. In other parts of the country that are less urban/suburban I think they remain more "apart".

 

[Sundayrain]

The Mennonites in the area are very free and savvy. They run the ice cream store, garden centers, restaurants and some very profitable tourist attractions.
But, you will find when you roam off the beaten path. Many, farmers using horse and Oxen. With their long beards and black clothes. They ride by on bikes and buggies. Many teenage boys can be seen with plows in the fields.
Just hand held, and very old fashioned. Girls are in the fields or hanging up clothes.....sweeping walkways. The skooters will come by with perhaps a young man of about 20 or so. Working his way home. ( just saw that one a few months ago) Kids with the wagons.....hurrying home.
At night many homes do not have electric. I have gotten lost trying to drive on those roads late in the evening. Homes are not lighted. You can see windmills in yards for some homes to have electric, if they use it at all. They don't have cars, phones, most don't watch TV or have radios.....the buggies are lined up at their homes. It is the "Old order Group" but it is quite prevalent in the Lancaster area. My favorite sight ,was seeing the sillouette of a young boy plowing on the hill with one horse. He was just a black figure along with his horse as the sun set. It is another world in some areas.

 

[luthersmama]

The Mennonites in the area are very free and savvy. They run the ice cream store, garden centers, restaurants and some very profitable tourist attractions.
But, you will find when you roam off the beaten path. Many, farmers using horse and Oxen. With their long beards and black clothes. They ride by on bikes and buggies. Many teenage boys can be seen with plows in the fields.
Just hand held, and very old fashioned. Girls are in the fields or hanging up clothes.....sweeping walkways. The skooters will come by with perhaps a young man of about 20 or so. Working his way home. ( just saw that one a few months ago) Kids with the wagons.....hurrying home.
At night many homes do not have electric. I have gotten lost trying to drive on those roads late in the evening. Homes are not lighted. You can see windmills in yards for some homes to have electric, if they use it at all. They don't have cars, phones, most don't watch TV or have radios.....the buggies are lined up at their homes. It is the "Old order Group" but it is quite prevalent in the Lancaster area. My favorite sight ,was seeing the sillouette of a young boy plowing on the hill with one horse. He was just a black figure along with his horse as the sun set. It is another world in some areas.

I know the difference between Amish and Mennonites, but in my experience the Amish, even "Old Order", in eastern Lancaster County are much more worldly than people think. I am always amused when I go to the Cabela's store on a Saturday and there are Old Order Amish taking digital photos of the taxidermy animals.

BTW, I am about 25 miles from the shooting scene as we speak. I have driven past that schoolhouse many times. There is a farm stand not far from there that is one of my favorites.

 

[Shadow205]

I know the difference between Amish and Mennonites, but in my experience the Amish, even "Old Order", in eastern Lancaster County are much more worldly than people think. I am always amused when I go to the Cabela's store on a Saturday and there are Old Order Amish taking digital photos of the taxidermy animals.

BTW, I am about 25 miles from the shooting scene as we speak. I have driven past that schoolhouse many times. There is a farm stand not far from there that is one of my favorites.

luthersmama,

Just curious, how do you know that these are Old Order Amish and not Mennonites? How can you tell the difference?

 

[Clearly Confused]

luthersmama,

Just curious, how do you know that these are Old Order Amish and not Mennonites? How can you tell the difference?

My hubby has family that are Mennonites and they do not dress like the Amish. I am not sure if that is the difference but thought I would through it in.

Also, a link for the local news.

http://http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=4620677

 

[Sundayrain]

A great site to go to to learn more is below : But, also the TV is coming out with quite through information.

http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

Our families spend much time in Lancaster. My girls called to say how sad they were," about their little town," and the Amish they love.
I am so sad for the families and will be saying my prayers for their girls.
For those little lives lost on this sad day.

On a beautful sunny day in Pennsylvania.

 

[luthersmama]

luthersmama,

Just curious, how do you know that these are Old Order Amish and not Mennonites? How can you tell the difference?

Clothing. Old Order Amish women never wear prints. They always wear solid-colored dresses (blue, purple, dark red, sometimes pink or light blue) and black aprons. Mennonites who dress in "traditional" garb usually wear print dresses and white aprons or no aprons. The prayer caps are different as well. I don't think I have ever seen a Mennonite wearing a black bonnet over her prayer cap, but Amish women often do for formal occasions.