Amish TragedyOctober 2, 2006

Objective The purpose of this powerpoint is to inform you of the events that happened on October 2, 2006.

At the end, you will know about how the day progressed, the victims, and the aftermath of the tragedy.

Where? West Nickel Mines School – a one room schoolhouse

Old Order Amish Community in Nickel Mines

Bart Township Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Who? Charles Carl Roberts IV

32 years old Milk-tank truck driver

Resident of Georgetown (an area of Bart Township)

What Happened? At 10:25 am, Roberts entered the schoolhouse with a 9 mm handgun.

He ordered the male students to help him carry items from his truck into the school.

They carried: lumber, a shotgun, a stun-gun, wires, chains, nails, tools and a small bag.

The small bag contained a change of clothes, toilet paper, candles, sexual lubricant, and flexible plastic ties.

Taking Victims Hostage He ordered the female students to line up

against the chalkboard. He allowed a pregnant woman, three parents

with infants, and all other male students to leave the building.

Roberts barricaded the doors using the lumber he ordered the males to carry in.

The 911 Call The teacher of the school, Emma Mae Zook, managed to escape to a nearby farm and called 911 at 10:36 am.

At 10:42, the first trooper arrived at the school followed by many others immediately afterward.

At this time, Roberts was binding the arms and legs of his hostages.

Help ArrivesPolice arrive at the sceneWithin 10 minutes of the

emergency call.

October 6th – 10:42 am

The Shooting Begins During the next minutes, the troopers managed to communicate briefly with Roberts several times.

Each time, they requested permission into the schoolhouse, but Roberts denied and threatened violence against the children.

11:07 – gunshots were heard from within the schoolhouse.

The troopers immediately approached, but the shooting abruptly stopped – Roberts had committed suicide.

Rescuing The Children The troopers broke into the schoolhouse in 2 and a half minutes.

Troopers and EMT’s administered first aid to the girls who were still alive, until ambulances and helicopters arrived to take them to nearby hospitals.

The VictimsKILLED

Naomi Rose Ebersol: 7

Marian Stoltzfus Fisher: 13

Anna Mae Stoltzfus: 12

Lena Zook Miller: 7

Mary Liz Miller: 8

INJURED Rosanna King: 6

Rachel Ann Stoltzfus: 8

Barbie Fisher: 10

Sarah Ann Stoltzfus: 12

Esther King: 13

Possible Motives A suicide note written by

Roberts stated that he had molested two relatives 20 years ago, and recently had thoughts of molesting again.

However, the two relatives told police that no abuse ever happened.

Also, there were no reports that Roberts molested any children in the schoolhouse.

Therefore, the gunman’s motives still remain a mystery.

Amish Forgiveness Surprisingly, the Amish community extended immediate forgiveness and comfort to Roberts and his family.

Marie Roberts, Roberts’ wife, was even invited to the funeral of one of the victims.

Starting New

West Nickel Mines School was demolished on October 12, 2006.

A new school – New Hope School – was built nearby on April 2, 2007.

THE ENDBy: Jen Feder

Mr. Greenberg’s 5th period Honors US History class