As Newtown, Connecticut schools reopened for the first time since last Friday’s tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the families of two young children killed in the massacre gathered Tuesday to lay their loved ones to rest. Funerals for James Mattioli, 6, and Jessica Rekos, 6, are scheduled for 10 a.m. and noon respectively.
Services for James are being held at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. The burial will take place at St. John's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Darien. Jessica’s family will then gather for a service at St. Rose of Lima at noon. Jessica will be buried at St. Rose cemetery.
James and Jessica are the third and fourth victims to be buried. The first two funerals were held Monday for Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto, both 6. Funerals for Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung and teacher Vicki Soto are set for Wednesday along with services for at least 5 more students.
In all, 20 children and 6 adults were shot to death by 20-year-old Adam Lanza last Friday inside Sandy Hook. Lanza committed suicide at the scene. After the shooting, investigators found Lanza’s mother, Nancy Lanza, dead in her bed. It is believed that Lanza killed her before going to Sandy Hook. The motive for the shooting is still unknown.
All schools in Newtown except Sandy Hook reopened on Tuesday with police officers and counselors present to support staff and students. Sandy Hook students will resume school on Wednesday at an empty school in the town of Monroe. Desks, chairs and school supplies were moved into the school over the weekend.
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