Amish bury children after massacre (updated info on girls' heroism!)

Yahoo News ^ | October 5, 2006 | Veronica Smith

[NYer]

Amish families streamed down closed roads in a mournful parade of horse-drawn buggies Thursday, to bury schoolgirl victims of the shootings which wracked their peaceable community.

As four of the five young girls killed Monday were laid to rest, tales of selfless heroism emerged of one victim who reportedly asked killer Charles Roberts to "shoot me first," to save her classmates.

And the grief looked set to deepen, as US media reports said one critically wounded schoolgirl had been taken off life support in hospital and brought back to her spartan Pennsylvania home to die.

The reclusive Amish sect, which disdains trappings of the modern world, turned in on itself, as hundreds of mourners gathered at simple funeral rites for each child.

Each girl was to be buried in a plain pine coffin, using no metal in accordance with the Amish belief that all human remains should return to dust.

The dead were dressed by female relatives in plain white dresses, and laid out at home in open caskets as mourners arrived to pay respects, said Rita Rhodes, a local midwife who delivered two of the victims.

Those laid to rest Thursday were Marian Fisher, 13, Naomi Rose Ebersole, seven; Mary Liz Miller, eight, and her seven-year-old sister, Lena, who all died in the simple one-room schoolhouse before Roberts turned the gun on himself.

Police sealed off roads leading into the small town of Nickel Mines. There was also a no-fly zone to stop media helicopters buzzing overhead.

As the services went ahead, ABC News reported a stunning tale of bravery from the oldest victim, Fisher, who reportedly stepped forward and told Roberts to gun her down in a bid to save her classmates.

"Shoot me first," Fisher said, ABC reported, quoting Rhodes.

Fisher's younger sister Barbie, who survived, then reportedly said : "shoot me second."

"There was a tremendous amount of calm and courage in that schoolroom," said Rhodes.

The funeral for Ebersole was first and was followed by a cortege to the hilltop Georgetown Amish cemetery for a simple burial.

A large black carriage carried the coffin and was followed by Amish families in 32 horse draw buggies and two big open carriages.

A sign in front of one house on the route said "Our thoughts and prayers to all the families".

The other ceremonies were to follow and the funeral of 12-year-old Anna Mae Stoltzfus was planned for Friday.

Officials at the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey refused to comment on the reports that a sixth victim had been taken home to die, citing a family request for confidentiality.

Four other girls aged between six and 13 remain hospitalized in critical or serious condition.

Roberts, who was armed with a handgun, shotgun and other weapons, lined the girls up against a blackboard and shot them "execution-style". Police believe the 32-year-old father of three had planned to sexually assault the girls.

The father of several survivors of the Amish school killings meanwhile told how girls questioned the gunman as to why he was carrying out the attack before he opened fire.

Leroy Zook told the New York Times: "And he told them why: He's angry at God, he's just bitter. He told them that they're supposed to pray for him that he wouldn't do this."

Zook's 20-year-old daughter Emma Mae, a teacher, was among those who, along with her mother, escaped the school and called police, the Times said. Another of Zook's daughters, two of his daughters-in-law and two grandchildren also escaped unharmed, the daily said.

Zook told the Times he had shaken hands with the father-in-law of Roberts since the siege.

"I think it's helping him to meet people, too, and see that there's no grudge," he told the Times. "How could you hold a grudge against the wife, the family?"

Roberts barged into the school on Monday, separated boys and girls and barred the doors with wooden planks before carrying out the killings.

[NYer]

A horse-drawn hearse leads the funeral procession for Nickel Mines Amish schoolhouse shooting victim Naomi Rose Ebersole past the home of of the gunman Charles Roberts as they rolls through the village of Georgetown, Pennsylvania October 5, 2006. REUTERS/Bradley C Bower (UNITED STATES)

A mound of earth is seen as mourners gather in a cemetery for a graveside service on Thursday., Oct. 5, 2006, in Georgetown, Pa., for schoolgirls slain in an Amish school shooting in the nearby community of Nickel Mines, Pa, on Monday, Oct. 2, 2006. Charles Carl Roberts IV stormed the Amish schoolhouse and shot 10 girls before turning the gun on himself. The four girls to be buried Thursday are Naomi Rose Ebersole, 7; Marian Fisher, 13; Mary Liz Miller, 8; and her sister Lena Miller, 7. The funeral for a fifth girl, Anna Mae Stoltzfus, 12, is scheduled for Friday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

[cgk]

As the services went ahead, ABC News reported a stunning tale of bravery from the oldest victim, Fisher, who reportedly stepped forward and told Roberts to gun her down in a bid to save her classmates.

"Shoot me first," Fisher said, ABC reported, quoting Rhodes.

Fisher's younger sister Barbie, who survived, then reportedly said : "shoot me second."

"There was a tremendous amount of calm and courage in that schoolroom," said Rhodes.

Oh my. God was truly with these girls.

[rovenstinez]

A real tribute to modern day heros. Quite touching. True American culture at it's finest.

[D-Chivas]

If only that scumbag had just eaten his gun on his own.

[L98Fiero]

Being a Southern boy, I knew little to nothing about the Amish before this. What I have come to learn makes me feel trite and insignificant.

I cannot express the new-found respect and admiration I have for these brave and and wonderful people.

[MadeInAmerica]

Thru the evil act and twisted behavior of this man, I see the beauty of true FAITH in Jesus beyond anything I have witnesssed in my life time. Imagine the whole world with faith like the Amish.

God is indeed Great

[Puppage]

A real tribute to modern day heros. Quite touching. True American culture at it's finest.

Amen

[nmh]

So sad ... .

If the AMish aren't safe ... .

---

The father of several survivors of the Amish school killings meanwhile told how girls questioned the gunman as to why he was carrying out the attack before he opened fire.

Leroy Zook told the New York Times: "And he told them why: He's angry at God, he's just bitter. He told them that they're supposed to pray for him that he wouldn't do this."

---

This man was in a battle with his soul.

I guess we know who won the battle.

[nmh]

"Shoot me first," Fisher said, ABC reported, quoting Rhodes.


Fisher's younger sister Barbie, who survived, then reportedly said : "shoot me second."

These girls have more faith and guts than grown males I know. They're safely in heaven now.

[edcoil]

They did not deserive this, there must be something we can do. It is so frustrating to watch this happen and be unable to fix it.

[Gay State Conservative]

"Shoot me first"...."shoot me second".

Amazing.

That's a kind of courage and unselfishness that I doubt that I've ever had...or ever will have.

[nmh]

"God was truly with these girls."

No question about that!

[isthisnickcool]

I remember after 9/11 learning about islam and being disgusted. Like before with moslems, I didn't know much about the Amish but from what I have learned the past few days I admire them.

[GOPJ]

As four of the five young girls killed Monday were laid to rest, tales of selfless heroism emerged of one victim who reportedly asked killer Charles Roberts to "shoot me first," to save her classmates.

I don't want children having to show heroism - I wanted the teacher and the boys to fight the monster as a team. That little girls were left alone to deal with this monster is a crime.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Gob Bless their innocent, little souls. They are better people than I am. After this horrible tragedy, I now know that.

[The_Reader_David]

If the Amish shared the traditions of the Orthodox, the girls who asked to be shot first and second would already be venerated as Passion-Bearers.

Memory eternal!

[MissEdie]

From a Southern girl, I share your thoughts and feelings. I agree with you whole-heartedly.

[nuconvert]

wow
TRULY AWESOME

[Antoninus]

I remember after 9/11 learning about islam and being disgusted. Like before with moslems, I didn't know much about the Amish but from what I have learned the past few days I admire them.

The REAL religion of peace....

[GOPJ]

"Shoot me first," Fisher said, ABC reported, quoting Rhodes.

Fisher's younger sister Barbie, who survived, then reportedly said : "shoot me second."

These girls showed up the pervert. Then again, showing up a pervert doesn't take much. Men who want to hurt children should do the rest of us a favor and kill themselves.