Local Parents Reflect on National Tragedy

The mass shooting in Connecticut is affecting Fort Wayne parents concerned about safety at local schools.

"You learn to say you love your kid's everyday because you don't know what tomorrow has in store," said Greg Spahiev, a concerned parent

"I have two kids and its scares me to death thinking that something could happen to them that somebody could gain access to them that easily," said Tara Vanhouten, a concerned mother of two. 

The mass shooting happened over 700 miles away but local parents are shaken up at the thought of a similar tragedy happening to their  child. 

"We feel that she's safe but in today's world you just don't know anymore what's going to happen," said Spahiev.    

Our prayers are with those families.  You get choked up just thinking about it, it's a tragedy for our nation especially during the holiday season for something like this to happen," said Vanhouten. 

Jeannie Diclementi, a psychology professor at IPFW and former crisis counselor after the columbine shootings says it's not uncommon for parents to change their parenting behavior after a horrific tragedy.  

"They are going to be extra vigilant, they are going to be hovering more, they are going to panic when the school bus is 10 minutes late," said Diclementi.

As for talking about the shooting rampage with your child.

"The question that parents are going to be asking is how do I tell my kids this and the answer is don't," said Diclementi.

WFFT reached out to a number of schools throughout Fort Wayne.  East Allen County Schools released this statement. "In following the tragic events that happened today in Connecticut things such as these tend to shake our confidences greatly.  Oftentimes it is hard to focus on everyday expectations when tragic incidences like thee are but a few miles away."

Southwest Allen County Schools Superintendent Steve Yager says, "Talk with your kids as soon as possible about today's shooting, it's an important conversation.

Fort Wayne Community schools declined two requests for an interview and refused to provide a statement.