Family of gunman devastated by shooting spree

PLAISTOW, N.H. (WHDH) -- Police said Nancy Lanza was the first victim of her son's deadly shooting spree. Twenty-six others were killed in the rampage before the 20-year-old gunman, Adam Lanza, shot himself.

“Like everybody else in America our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to the victims and the families of the victims,” said James Reams, Rockingham County attorney.

In Kingston, New Hampshire, Nancy Lanza’s hometown, the Rockingham County sheriff read a statement written by the Lanza family.

“On behalf of Nancy's mother and siblings we reach out to the community of Newtown and express our heartfelt sorrow for the incomprehensible and profound loss of innocence,” said Reams.

The family is now asking for privacy. A patrol car is parked outside their home just next door to the house where Adam lived until the Lanzas moved to Connecticut when he was six. The family's statement made no mention of the son.

“The whole family is traumatized by this event. Very sad. Very sad,” said Donald Briggs, Kingston Police Chief.

Nancy Lanza, born Nancy Champion, graduated from Sanborn Regional High School. She also went to Kingston's Bakie Elementary School where her mom worked for years as the school nurse. Her brother Jim grew up to become the captain of the Kingston Police Department.

At his retirement party a year ago, some old friends in Kingston saw Nancy one last time.

“Very Kind, considerate, loving young lady. She lived here a good part of her life,” said Briggs.

Adam Lanza has an uncle on his father’s side that lives in Plaistow. The F.B.I. has already been to New Hampshire to talk to some of the family members to see if they can learn more about the gunman.