Sandy Hook 911 Call Archive

from ‘USA TODAY’ Nov.26,2013.
“A Connecticut judge Tuesday ordered Newtown police to release the 911 calls from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.
The recordings must be made public by Dec. 4, Superior Judge Eliot Prescott said in a 33-page decision rejecting arguments by Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky that the calls contain “information relative to child abuse” and may cause emotional harm to survivors and victims’ families.
The calls from inside the school include two gunshots but no graphic sounds from victims during the Dec. 14 carnage, which killed 20 first-graders and six educators, sources have told the Danbury News Times.
Sedensky said he will review Prescott’s decision to determine whether to appeal.
In September, the state’s Freedom of Information Commission unanimously ruled that Newtown police must give the audio to the Associated Press.
Prescott wrote that he “reluctantly” listened to the recordings in which callers described the events “in a harrowing and disturbing manner.” But no children were identified by name and no caller reported seeing any child injured. The only wound described involved an educator shot in a foot, he noted.
Nonetheless, he said he was “deeply sensitive” to desires that the calls never be released.
“The public airing by media of some or all of the recordings that will undoubtedly follow their release will likely be a searing reminder of the horror and pain of that awful day,” Prescott wrote.
But he acknowledged the “reality” that the recordings would eventually be made public.
“Further delaying their release will not ultimately serve to ameliorate the pain the recordings will likely cause those directly impacted by the shootings,” he said.
Releasing the recordings “will assist the public in gauging the appropriateness of law enforcement’s response to calls for help from the public,” he wrote. “In fact, public analysis of the recordings may serve to vindicate and support the professionalism and bravery of first responders … who themselves have undoubtedly been subject to emotional turmoil and pain in witnessing the scene at Sandy Hook Elementary School.”
The judge added that airing the recordings would let the public decide whether any procedural changes might be necessary.
Delaying their release “only serves to fuel speculation about and undermine confidence in our law enforcement officials,” Prescott wrote.”

Audio 1
Audio 2
Audio 3
Audio 4
Audio 5

TRANSCRIPT:
CALL 1, 9:35:39, 24 seconds
OPERATOR: Newtown 911. What’s the location of your emergency?
CALLER: Hi, Sandy Hook School. I think there is somebody shooting in here, in Sandy Hook School.
OPERATOR: O.K. What makes you think that?
CALLER: Because somebody’s got a gun. I caught a glimpse of someone, they’re running down the hallway.
CALL 3, 9:36:13 a.m., Rick Thorne, acting head custodian, 3 minutes & 52 seconds
OPERATOR 1: You’ve dialed 911. What’s the location of your emergency?
CALLER: Sandy Hook Elementary School, 12 Dickenson Drive.
OPERATOR: O.K. I’ve got that. What’s going on down there?
CALLER: Inside. I believe they are shooting at the front, at the front glass.
OPERATOR 1: O.K.
CALLER: Something’s going on.
OPERATOR 1: Alright.
OPERATOR 1: I’ve got all, I want you to stay on the line with me. Where are you in the school?
CALLER: I’m down the corridor.
OPERATOR 1: Alright. I want you to take cover.. . . Jen, get the sergeant. Alright. Get everybody you can going down there. Alright. Let me get some information. What makes you think that?
CALLER: The front glass is all shot out. It kept, it kept going on.
OPERATOR 1: O.K.
(Voice OFF PHONE: I’m on the line with a 911 caller, there’s a shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School)
CALLER: It’s still happening.
OPERATOR 1: Alright, what about the students in the front of the building.
CALLER: Everything is locked up, as far as I know. I’m right in front.
OPERATOR :1 Alright. You’re in lock down?
CALLER: Yeah. They’re in lock down.
OPERATOR 1: Did you see anything out the window?
CALLER: No it’s still going on. I can’t get over there.
OPERATOR 1: Ok. I don’t want you to go over there. I want to know what’s happening with the students though along the front corridor. This is in the front parking lot?
CALLER: Yes. I’m not, I’m not in the front. I’m actually down the other part. But I’m close.
OPERATOR 1: O.K. Do you see anything or hear anything more?
CALLER: I keep hearing shooting. I keep. . .
OPERATOR 1: O.K.
CALLER: I keep hearing popping.
(Voice OFF PHONE: Guys, we’ve got a shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, that’s what 911 is ringing off the hook for)
OPERATOR 1: All right Jen, let’s get one, let’s get one caller, I’ll take my caller, you . . .
OPERATOR 2 background: Calling all cars Calling all cars. Be advised . . .
OPERATOR 1: All right. Now who am I talking with right now?
CALLER: Unintelligible
OPERATOR 1: Pardon Me? What’s your name?
CALLER: Rick Thorne.
OPERATOR 1: Rick Storm. Alright. Rick, what is your position with the school?
CALLER: I’m the . . .I’m acting head custodian today.
OPERATOR 1: O.K.
OPERATOR 2: Newtown. What’s the address of the school?
CALLER: 12 Dickenson Drive
OPERATOR 2: O.K.
CALLER: Something’s happening.
OPERATOR 1: O.K. . . .
Jen, hang up. I need you to get off that phone. Alright Rick? . . . Rick?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR 1: Hi, what are you hearing now ?
CALLER It’s, now it’s silent.
Operator 1: O.K.
(Voice Phone: Riverside Road)
OPERATOR 1 : Alright. Now, when you say the school is in lockdown…
CALLER: All the doors are locked. Kids are in classrooms.
OPERATOR 1: O.K. So at this time you are defending in place.
CALLER: Excuse me?
OPERATOR 1: O.K., So at this time all the rooms are locked?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR 1: O.K., Did you see anything out front before this started?
CALLER: No. And I was out all morning.
OPERATOR 1: Where are you in the¦
CALLER O.K. The gym teacher is telling me they saw (unintelligible) going past the gym.
OPERATOR 1: Just now?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR 1: Alright. Now are they running on the outside or the inside?
CALLER: I would say that was the outside. (Pause) There is still shooting going on. Please.
OPERATOR 1: Alright. What about injuries at this time?
CALLER: Excuse me?
OPERATOR 1: What about injuries at this time?
CALLER: I don’t know of any injuries right now.
OPERATOR 1: O.K.
(man screaming in background — “. . . coming at me . . .” unintelligible)
OPERATOR 1: John, I need you to call the state police. Just,..
OPERATOR 3: The state police is there.
CALLER: It’s still. It’s still going on.
CALL 4, 9:37:06, 42 seconds
OPERATOR: Newtown 911. What’s the location of your emergency?
CALLER: It’s 10 Dickenson Drive in Sandy Hook, Newtown, Connecticut.
OPERATOR: Okay. What’s going on at 10 Dickinson Drive?
CALLER: It sounds like there are gunshots in the hallway. I’m a teacher in the school.
OPERATOR: Okay, where are you? Are you in the school right now?
CALLER: I am in the school. I’m in a classroom.
OPERATOR: Okay, do you have everyone in the classroom and the door locked?
CALLER: All of my students. The door is not locked yet. I have to go . . .
OPERATOR: Okay, lock the door.
CALLER: I have to go lock the door.
OPERATOR: Keep everybody calm. Keep everybody down. Get everybody away from the windows, okay?
CALLER: Yes, okay.
OPERATOR: Where are you in the school?
CALLER: I’m in the hallway when you walk in the front entrance, if you take a left.
OPERATOR: Okay, try to lock down the school, okay?
CALLER: We’re trying. Okay.
OPERATOR: All right. ye-bye.
CALLER: Bye.
CALL 5, 9:40:02 a.m., 5 minutes & 22 seconds
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: Newtown 911? What’s the address of the emergency?
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: This is the state police. I got a victim of the shooter here.
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: Yup.
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: She’s been shot once in the foot.
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: She’s been shot once in the foot?
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: She’s in playground — playground — Room number 1.
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: Room Number 1?
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: Yep.
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: One shot in room number one.
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: How close are you guys to arriving on scene?
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: What?
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: How close are you guys to . . .?
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: A female shot, uh, in the foot. You got a female party shot in the foot.
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: Yep. She’s been uh . . .
OPERATOR NEWTOWN: Advise ambulance.
CALLER: Right by the playground, room number one.
OPERATOR: Oh, I know that.
OPERATOR: O.K. Where are, where are you, are you O.K. right now?
CALLER: Yeah.
OPERATOR: O.K. Where, where, where’s Room 1 in the school?
CALLER: Facing the playground.
OPERATOR: Where are you?
CALLER: Facing the playground.
OPERATOR: On the playground?
CALLER: Facing toward — facing toward the playground.
OPERATOR: OK. Are you safe right now?
CALLER: I think so. My classroom door is not locked.
OPERATOR: OK. Is there anybody that can lock the classroom door with out — being safe?
CALLER: No.
OPERATOR: Is it safe to do so? O.K.
CALLER: No.
OPERATOR: All right, just try stay where you are. O.K.
CALLER: Yes. There’s children in this room, too.
OPERATOR: O.K., try to apply pressure, O.K.
CALLER: (Unintelligible)
OPERATOR: We have people coming, O.K.?
CALLER: Uh-huh
OPERATOR: All right.
OPERATOR: Is there any other teacher with you in there or is just students?
CALLER: No, there’s two other adults in the room with me.
OPERATOR: O.K. All right. Are they right next to you? Where are they in the room?
CALLER: No, they’re over on the other side of the bookshelf.
OPERATOR: O.K. All right. Are you O.K. right now?
CALLER: For now, hopefully.
OPERATOR: O.K. All right. Just keep an eye on it; try to keep pressure on it. O.K? We have people heading out there. O.K. Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: Newtown 911. What is the address of the emergency?
CALLER: Hi. My friend just texted me. She’s at the Sandy Hook Middle, Sandy Hook Elementary School. She says there’s a shooting.
OPERATOR: Yup, we’re aware.
CALLER: O.K. I just hope that’s she’s there. I hope she’s O.K.
OPERATOR: Yup. O.K. Bye-bye.
PHONE RINGING
OPERATOR: Hello, hello, hello.
PHONE RINGING
NEWTOWN OPERATOR: Hold on one second, hold on.
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: State police emergency.
NEWTOWN OPERATOR: Hey, it’s Brophy from Newtown 911, how are you?
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: Good.
NEWTOWN OPERATOR: Did you guys hear what’s going on in Newtown right now?
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: There’s an active shooting.
NEWTOWN OPERATOR: Yeah, you got it.
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: O.K.
NEWTOWN OPERATOR: All right.
OPERATOR STATE POLICE: Yeah, help’s coming.
NEWTOWN OPERATOR: All right. Thanks. Bye.
CALL 6, at 9:40:20, Rick Thorne, 3 minutes & 24 seconds
OPERATOR: Newtown police, Dispatcher Nute. O.K., I have that. We have officers on scene.
CALLER: Thank you.
OPERATOR: What’s your name?
CALLER: Rick Thorne
OPERATOR: O.K.
CALLER: I am in the building.
OPERATOR: All right, Rick, I’ve got you. I’m on the other line. All right. We have officers there.
Other OPERATORs talking in the background.
OPERATOR: Beeping sound. Newtown 911 what’s the location of your emergency? Newtown 911 what’s the location of your emergency? Newtown 911 . . . Newtown 911 what’s the location of your emergency? Hello?
CALLER: Are you talking to me?
OPERATOR: I am talking to you. Is this Rick?
CALLER: 12 Dickenson Drive, Sandy Hook.
OPERATOR: Rick is this you?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR: O.K. We’re back on the line together. Is that by, is that by PD?
CALLER: It’s at the firehouse. It’s by the firehouse.
OPERATOR: Yeah, we know, we got…..
OPERATOR: I’m sorry. Well, I’m not sending them in there yet.
Other OPERATORs in background speaking.
OPERATOR: Where is she in the school? Don’t worry about where room one is. Where is she in the school?
Other OPERATOR talking.
OPERATOR: Yes ma’am. At this time it is unknown to me. We believe there is a shooting going on at that school. It is in lockdown. I don’t have any other information but unfortunately I am going to have to put you on hold for a moment because I have multiple calls going. All right.
OPERATOR: 911. Newtown 911. Rick?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR: O.K., stay on the phone with me.
CALLER: O.K.
OPERATOR: Town police, OPERATOR Nute. Yes ma’am, I just spoke with Janet Robinson, I do believe there has been a shooting at the school, we are in the middle of, um, multiple calls. Yes ma’am.
OPERATOR: Hi Rick. You still with me?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR: AlL right. What do you see now?
CALLER: I am standing in the corridor, just watching this corridor.
OPERATOR: You’re watching your corridor?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR: O.K. Uh. . . ?
OPERATOR: K, I have that, we have officers on scene.
CALLER: Thank you.
OPERATOR: What’s your name?
CALLER: Rick Thorne.
OPERATOR: OK
CALLER: I’m in the building
OPERATOR: All right, Rick, I gotcha, I’m on the other line. All right. We have officers there.
(background noise, dispatch noise — Newtown 911, what’s the location of your emergency, repeating)
CALLER: Are you talking to me?
OPERATOR: I am talking to you. Is this Rick?
CALLER: 12 Dickenson Drive, Sandy Hook.
OPERATOR: All right, Rick, is this you?
CALLER: Yes
OPERATOR: OK. We’re going back on the line together. Is that by — is that by PD?
CALLER: The firehouse. It’s by the firehouse.
OPERATOR: Yeah we got, we got, I’m sorry ¦ (background noise, discussions with dispatchers) Well I’m not let – sending them in there yet. Where is she in the school? Don’t worry about where room 1 is. Where is she in the school? – Yes ma’am. At this time it’s unknown to me. We believe there is a shooting going on at that school. It is in lockdown. I don’t have any other information but unfortunately I’m going to have to put you on hold for a moment because I have multiple calls going. All right?
OPERATOR: Rick?
CALLER: Yes
OPERATOR: O.K. Stay on the phone with me.
CALLER: OK.
OPERATOR: 10-4, it’s dispatcher (?) — yes ma’am, I just spoke with Janet Robinson, I do believe there has been a shooting at the school, we’re in the middle of multiple calls. Yes ma’am.
OPERATOR: Hi, Rick, are you still with me?
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR: All right. What do you see now?
CALLER: I’m standing in the corridor, just watching the corridor.
OPERATOR: All right, you’re watching your corridor.
CALLER: Yes.
OPERATOR: O.K. Um –
CALL 7, 9:43:55 a.m., Rick Thorne, 4 minutes & 10 seconds
OPERATOR: We’ve got a shooting at Sandy Hook School. You are going to have to talk to the first selectman. I’ve already talked to Janet Robinson and…
OPERATOR: Newtown police, OPERATOR Nute. Yeah, very. At this point, I would maintain your post at your school. All right, thank you.
NEWTOWN POLICE: Myself and 92 have checked the perimeter of the school. There’s a party in custody. 49-01 continuing to check.
OPERATOR: All right. Do you hear any police officers at this time, Rick?
CALLER: I’m hearing talking. I’m not seeing anybody but I’m hearing talking.
OPERATOR: O.K..
CALLER: Like I said, I’m standing in the middle of this corridor.
POLICE: Entering the southeast of the school
CALLER: Custodian! Custodian!
POLICE: Who are you?
CALLER: Custodian!
OPERATOR: All right. Tell them you’re on the phone with me.
CALLER: I’m on the phone with dispatch. Victims in the building
OPERATOR: How many?
CALLER: How many?
POLICE: Two down.
CALLER: Two down.
OPERATOR: Is it safe?
POLICE: Did you see anybody or not?
CALLER: I saw nobody
POLICE: Did you check the entire inside of the school, as well? Standby. I need units in the front of the school, I’ve got bodies here
CALLER: I didn’t see anybody go in there.
OPERATOR: All right. Rick, I’m going to let you go. You go with them.
CALLER: Call the state police
OPERATOR: They have been notified.
CALLER: They’ve been notified.
OPERATOR: Rick, I’m actually going to keep you with me.
CALLER: O.K. I heard shooting. Not now.
Officer: How long ago?
CALLER: Five minutes ago.
OPERATOR: speaking in background. Dial tone.
OPERATOR: Newtown 911 what is the location of your emergency?
CALLER: 12 Dickenson Drive.
OPERATOR: O.K. Rick, I’m still with you.
CALLER: O.K.
OPERATOR: Ken, you’re going to have to get 19 Crab Apple. Rick I’m going to put you on hold for a minute. Dial Newtown 911, what is the location of your emergency?
CALLER: Sandy Hook School.
OPERATOR: O.K.
CALLER: My wife just texted me and said there are shooters.
OPERATOR: O.K. We have officers on the scene at this time. They are clearing the school at this time.
CALLER: O.K.
OPERATOR: All right.