How Jesse Lewis Saved Eleven People But Lost His Life During Sandy Hook Shooting

Jesse Lewis was born on June 30, 2006, in Danbury, Connecticut. Tragically, he was only 6 years old when he lost his life in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting. Despite his young age, Jesse demonstrated remarkable bravery during the attack. He urged his classmates to run away while the shooter was reloading his weapon, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save theirs. He died a hero.

THE TRAGEDY

Jesse Lewis woke up for school like every other school day, got ready and before heading off to school on that fateful Friday morning, 6-year-old Jesse McCord Lewis enjoyed a breakfast of his favorite sandwich, which included sausage, egg, and cheese, along with a cup of hot chocolate from a local deli.

When he got to school just like his classmates, they were all seated while the teacher Ms Soto started the lessons of the day . Then suddenly Adam Lanza, 20, started shooting from the school entrance with an assault rifle. Based on accounts given by multiple sources ,it was said they heard nothing until he was in the opposite classroom which is Ms Rousseau's class where he killed all but one child because he hid under the bodies of his dead classmates.

Then he entered Jesse's class and killed the teacher Ms Soto as she tries to distract him from where the students hid before his rifle jammed. Jesse quickly recognized an opportunity and bravely acted upon it. He called out to his classmates, who were gathered together in a corner, holding hands. With his warning, six children were able to escape the classroom and find a safe place.

Scarlett Lewis, Jesse's mother, was later informed by investigators about the specifics of what happened inside the classroom. She recalled Jesse's final moments, saying, "He yelled, 'Run!' Adam reloaded and shot him in the head." In all, 11 children from Miss Soto's class survived. Five other first-graders hid in a closet.

On December 14 2012, Lanza, who was 20 years old, entered the school by force and carried out one of the most devastating school massacres in U.S. history, killing 20 first-grade children and six staff members.

Earlier on the same day, Lanza took the life of his mother before proceeding to the school where he carried out the shooting. As law enforcement agents arrived at the school in response to the incident, Lanza took his own life inside the building.

THE AFTERMATH

However little Jesse's heroism and his ability as a six year old to be able to think on his feet cannot be forgotten. "Jesse died bravely trying to lead other children to safety.

He ran into the hallway to help when he heard the shots. In our hearts we already knew because that was the way he lived his life - fearless, full of courage and strength," his family said in his wake. "We take comfort in knowing what a brave child he was. His actions were consistent with the way he lived his life; passionately embracing everything, a perfect combination of courage and faith, like a little toy soldier, his favorite toy."

In recent times, Scarlett Lewis, Jesse's mom has been committed to the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation, an organization that encourages communities to prioritize love over anger, gratitude over entitlement, and forgiveness and compassion over bitterness.

The foundation draws its inspiration from a message that Jesse, Lewis's son, had written on their kitchen chalkboard, which included the words "nurturing," "healing," and "love."

References :

7 years after Sandy Hook, the victims’ memories still endure

AP: Newtown, Conn. Holds the First Funerals for the Victims