It’s an abhorrent slaughter that has shocked the world.
Sean Regan lived in the Connecticut town of Newtown after graduating from university in 2007. He describes its residents as some of the nicest people he has ever met and has shared with MyWelshpool the agonising moments when he found out what was happening through social media.
“I first noticed the news when I saw a status on Facebook,” said the 28 year-old. “It was after the incident but before they knew what had happened. All of the local schools were put into 'lock-down' and my friend was concerned for her own child and the two children that they foster. I was shocked and very concerned. It turned out that it happened at a different school and her children were safe, but, at the time they didn't know if there was going to be attacks at other schools.”
Sean spent three months in Newtown living with two families whilst coaching football to local kids.
“I loved Newtown and would love to go back,” he said. “The people were really friendly and regularly inviting me and other coaches to parties and events. The Trivers family that I spent most of my time with were amazing and housed myself and another coach. We were both treated like royalty by them, their family and their friends. The whole town was incredibly welcoming and hospitable.
“At the end of our work contract, the mother in the family arranged for us to go on a trip to Washington and New York with her brother Steve. We were taken to all the main attractions including an ice hockey match at Madison Square Garden. They wouldn't let us pay for anything! Fantastic people. The children were lovely, a real pleasure to coach. It is no exaggeration that they have been the best behaved children I have coached and I still remember many of them by name.”
Sean is well known in the Welshpool area having spent a long time living with the Haycock family in Berriew from his late teens. He went on to complete a degree in Sports and Exercise Science in Chester and works as a Young Person's Drug and Alcohol Worker in Flintshire and coaches Chester FC’s Youth Team.
He says he is in regular contact with his friends across the Atlantic as they come to terms with the awful tragedy.“The town is really sad and in mourning,” he said. “But they have a really supportive community and will get through this together.
“The community will heal in time but individuals and families will be scarred forever. I am certain that living in Newtown will be a positive in helping those affected in getting through it.”
The incident is the fourth mass shooting in the USA in as many years and has increased the calls for tighter controls in a country where there are an estimated 300 million guns.
PICTURE: Happier times. Sean Regan pictured with two of the children he coached.