Maybe it was the toilet bowl comments.

But the new University of California logo that was unveiled last week - mostly to groans and comments that the "C" nesting in a shield-shaped "U" looked sort of like a toilet bowl - has been scrapped.

That's according to a UC statement released Friday by Daniel Dooley, who said that the monogram had received so much criticism over the past few days that the 10-campus university system decided to "suspend further use of the monogram." 

He did add, however, that he thought the "design element" would have won "wide acceptance" over time. But Dooley said that the loud cries - and the length of time it may take to win hearts and minds- just weren't worth it. He did admit that the criticism had been "swift and brutal."

In addition to looking like a toilet, others compared the new logo to a corporate signature. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom - voting member of the UC Board of Regents - simply said "Ugh." One UC Berkeley student simply said last week that it was "weird." More than 54,000 petitioners had signed a document to say, "ick."

Many thought that the image was not a fitting replacement for the stately university seal, Dooley said, even though the university said the old logo and the new were meant to coexist. Dooley said while the university had defended its decision for a few days, leaders have "finally relented."

He said that the controversy had been fueled in large part by an "unfortunate and false narrative," which framed the matter as an "either-or choice between a venerated UC seal and a newly designed monogram."

In fact, Dooley said the graphic element in question was never intended to replace the official seal that still graces diplomas and other appropriate documents. Rather, he said, "it was to provide a graphic cue to distinguish system wide communications materials from those of individual campuses."

Newsom liked the move. He tweeted: "Power of the people! #UC to "suspend further use" of new logo. I applaud UC for listening and pulling logo."

There was no immediate word on how much UC spent on printing the logo on various documents, but Dooley said that the simple logo didn't cost much to design.

Local schools respond to the massacre on a Connecticut elementary school campus.

A gunman opened fire inside Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Friday morning killing 26 people including 18 children.

As San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Randy Ward said in a statement Friday, it's a nightmare "we here in San Diego are all too familiar with."

In October 2010, Brendan O’Rourke hopped a fence at Carlsbad's Kelly Elementary and fired a .357 as children ran for cover.

In March 2001, Bryan Zuckor, 14, and Randy Gordon, 17, were killed and 13 were wounded when Charles Andrew Williams fired from a bathroom at Santana High School in Santee.

Several weeks later, Jason Hoffman, 18, shot and wounded three students and two teachers on the campus of Granite Hills High School.

The Carlsbad Unified School District said it increased security around its campuses after the incident in Connecticut Friday.

A spokesperson for San Diego Unified School District did not provide NBC 7 San Diego with any details on steps taken following the shooting, citing other priorities.

However, Ward released a statement sharing the feeling of parents around the nation who share an "unspoken agreement" that parents "send kids to school and we keep them safe, sound and send them back a little smarter," he said.

"There is no easy way to make sense of tragedies such as this, but as adults, we are charged with helping our children and keeping them safe," Ward said.

He said each school has a safety plan and will be reviewing it.

School administrators and counselors will meet to discuss the shooting in Connecticut and help faculty and administrators handle issues or questions that may come up.

As word spread of the 27 tragic deaths at the Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Conn., politicians from across the country offered their sympathies, expressed frustration and called for reform.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was the victim of a mass shooting in January 2011, sent her prayers via her husband's Facebook page, and a tearful President Obama told the nation, "our hearts are broken."

Mark Kelly, husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:
"I just woke up in my hotel room in Beijing, China, to learn that another mass shooting has taken place -- this time at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in CT. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the entire community of Newtown, CT. I just spoke to Gabby, and she sends her prayers from Tucson.



"As we mourn, we must sound a call for our leaders to stand up and do what is right. This time our response must consist of more than regret, sorrow, and condolence. The children of Sandy Hook Elementary School and all victims of gun violence deserve leaders who have the courage to participate in a meaningful discussion about our gun laws -- and how they can be reformed and better enforced to prevent gun violence and death in America. This can no longer wait." (Facebook)

President Barack Obama:
"The majority of those who died today were children -- beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10-years-old," he said, pausing to wipe away a tear. "They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own."

"Our hearts are broken today, for the parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children," Obama added, "as well as the families of the adults who were lost." (NBC News)

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
"It has come to that. Not even kindergarteners learning their A,B,Cs are safe. We heard after Columbine that it was too soon to talk about gun laws. We heard it after Virginia Tech. After Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek. And now we are hearing it again. For every day we wait, 34 more people are murdered with guns. Today, many of them were 5-year-olds. President Obama rightly sent his heartfelt condolences to the families in Newtown. But the country needs him to send a bill to Congress to fix this problem. Calling for 'meaningful action' is not enough. We need immediate action. We have heard all the rhetoric before. What we have not seen is leadership -- not from the White House and not from Congress. That must end today. This is a national tragedy and it demands a national response. My deepest sympathies are with the families of all those affected, and my determination to stop this madness is stronger than ever."

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
"This is a day of great sadness in America, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families.  This latest shooting tragedy is an unthinkable act of violence carried out against young children and innocent people.  Americans are sick and tired of these attacks on our children and neighbors and they are sick and tired of nothing being done in Washington to stop the bloodshed.  If we do not take action to address gun violence, shooting tragedies like this will continue.  As President Obama said, we must act now 'regardless of the politics.'"

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
"Hadassah and I are shocked and heartbroken by the horrific events in Newtown today. We know this community and its people well. It is a beautiful town with wonderful people. As parents and grandparents, our hearts grieve for them today, and we send our prayers to each of them. I have spoken with President Obama and Vice President Biden today, both of whom share our grief and will do everything they can to console, comfort, and strengthen the survivors and the community. I will do everything in my power to assist the victims, survivors and their loved ones in the long days ahead, and extend my deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this terrible event.



"I commend the work of our local authorities and first responders for their dedication today in Newtown. I hope that all those involved are able to work together in the coming days as details become more clear, and that families in the Newtown community may have some semblance of peace during this holiday season. All of our prayers are with those in Newtown."

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio)
"The horror of this day seems so unbearable, but we will lock arms and unite as citizens, for that is how Americans rise above unspeakable evil.  Let us all come together in God's grace to pray for the families of the victims, that they may find some comfort and peace amid such suffering.  Let us give thanks for all those who helped get people to safety, and take heart from their example.  The House of Representatives -- like every American -- stands ready to assist the people of Newtown, Connecticut."

Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
"Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the parents, families and school employees dealing with the horrific loss of life in Newtown, Connecticut. I join all Americans in grieving for this community suffering from this incomprehensible tragedy.



"Today is for sorrow and prayers. But the days ahead are for serious reflection about how we can reduce the flow of guns into the wrong hands.  One mass shooting after another in America is followed by sincere and painful mourning but no real action to protect the innocent.  We must come together as a nation to honestly discuss how to prevent people intent on carrying out these savage attacks from so easily obtaining guns and ammunition.


  The nation is ready for this conversation.  More importantly, though, the safety of children and all Americans demands we have it."

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
"I am in shock and disbelief at this horrible tragedy that took so many innocent lives today. As a father and grandfather, it is beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to hurt innocent children. I join the millions of Americans whose thoughts and hearts are with those suffering because of this horrible crime in Connecticut."

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY)
"Today's horrific act of violence in Newtown, Connecticut is senseless and heartbreaking.  There are no words to express the profound grief we all feel at the loss of so many, especially young children.  My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their friends and family and the entire Newtown community.



"We cannot tolerate mass shootings as a mere inconvenience or a normal part of our everyday lives.  Easy availability of the deadliest weapons to the most dangerous people has cost countless lives and caused immeasurable suffering, never more so than today.   Our expressions of sympathy must be matched with concrete actions to stop gun violence."

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Col.)
"The terrible news out of Connecticut is staggering. Like all Colorado families, my family is grieving and our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all of the students and employees at the school. This is a parent's worst nightmare. As Coloradans, we know how this type of tragedy can shake a community to its core. We are here for Connecticut as they work together to heal in the days ahead."

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
"This is a terrible, senseless, incomprehensible tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I have been in touch with the governor's office and other officials and will do everything in my power to be there for the affected families."

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
"As a parent and a public official, my heart and prayers are with these innocent victims, their families, and the entire community. I share the shock of all Connecticut at this hideous, horrific crime of inhuman violence.  I will be in close communication with law enforcement and state and local officials to ensure they receive the federal support and resources they need. "

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
"I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning in Newtown, Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the innocent victims -- many of whom were young children -- whose lives were claimed by this senseless and horrific act of violence. During times of such unthinkable tragedy, all New Yorkers stand together with the people of our neighboring state to grieve the loss of life and help bear the pain and anguish that will be felt by so many in the weeks, months, and years to come.



"While we don't have all the facts and our focus must be on the victims, this is yet another senseless and horrific act of violence involving guns. We as a society must unify and once and for all crack down on the guns that have cost the lives of far too many innocent Americans. Let this terrible tragedy finally be the wake-up call for aggressive action and I pledge my full support in that effort."

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME)
"Like all Americans, I am shocked and sickened at this reprehensible, heinous act at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Such senseless violence is simply unimaginable and has no place in this great country of ours. As we struggle to comprehend this national tragedy, we stand united in holding the families and loved ones of those lost in our thoughts, and we pray for the full recovery of everyone who has been injured."

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
"The horror of what happened is beyond words and leaves a permanent lump in your throat.  To senselessly lose so many innocent lives breaks your heart. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost a loved one today, to all who are injured, and to those that survived. The people of New York will help in any way we can as our fellow citizens struggle to comprehend today's events.  Perhaps an awful tragedy like this will bring us together so we can do what it takes to prevent this horror from being repeated again."

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
"My heart breaks for the victims and families impacted by the senseless act of violence today in Newtown, Connecticut. In a world that can at times be defined by its darkness, children are a reminder of what is good, cheerful and beautiful about life. An act of violence against these defenseless young people, as well as the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves daily to educating and caring for them, is a deed of unconscionable evil. I pray that God holds Newtown close tonight as all of her residents come to terms with this tragedy."

The most famous thing about Newtown, Conn. -- until now -- was perhaps the 100-foot flagpole that has stood in the middle of Main Street since 1876. The pole is a source of community pride, but on Friday night it was also a symbol of sorrow, its flag hanging at half-staff in honor of the 20 children and six adults shot to death hours earlier.

That it happened in a school was the ultimate insult, residents said, because the schools are what continue to draw young families to this quiet, town in Connecticut's southwestern corner, a 90-minute drive from New York City. The schools and the sense of kinship they foster are what keep the place together, they said.

"This is a community, not just a town," said Cathy Masi, a real estate agent whose office window frames the downtown flagpole.

Masi spoke with a determination that didn't seem necessary until the shooting. Because she knows, everyone here knows, that their unpretentious suburban-rural town of 28,000 is going to be tested like never before.

"We are a very strong community," Masi said. "We are going to rally around the families. And we will get through this."

Dark was falling, it was getting cold and hardly anyone was out, other than reporters and satellite trucks. Many residents were waiting for the vigils that would be held at various houses of worship around town. Some posted simple, handwritten signs on their lawns saying they were praying for the victims.

"It's full of love, this town," John Vouros said, standing in the vestibule of his Main Street bed and breakfast, festooned with wreaths and bright ribbons and holiday lights. He paused to catch himself and his eyes got watery. "This is one of those towns where you think, 'Think could never happen to us.'"

He waved his arms out at the historic downtown, lined with century-old trees and Colonial-style houses. "It's quiet here. There's no sensationalism. We all got excited when Starbucks came. And now..."

Vouros collected himself again. "Now we're on the map. How ridiculous. How awful."

But Newtown is resilient, he said. "You'll see that over the next few days."

Inside the Trinity Episcopal Church, a few people had walked in off the street to pray. James Curry, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, fought back tears as he considered the evil that had come to this town. But if Newtown has anything, it is faith, he said. And that will get them through.

"The people here know they have to come together, and they will," Curry said.

Friday’s horrific shooting in Newtown, Conn., was the second deadliest in the country’s history, behind the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech. Here is a timeline of past mass shootings.

December 14, 2012: A gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., killing 26 people including 17 or 18 children.

August 5, 2012: A gunman opens fire at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, killing six people and wounding three.

July 20, 2012: Suspect James Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 others during a shooting at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colo.

April 2, 2012: Seven people were killed and three were wounded at an Oakland religious school.

Feb. 27, 2012: A 17-year-old boy shoots five of his fellow students at a school in Chardon, Ohio. Three of them die.

January 8, 2011: Rep. Gabriel Giffords and 17 others were shot by gunman Jared Lee Loughner at an Arizona supermarket. Six people were killed.

Feb. 12, 2010: A female teacher shoots and kills three people after being denied a permanent job at a university in Birmingham, Ala, 

November 5, 2009: A gunman shot and killed 13 people and wounded 29 others at the military base, Ford Hood, just outside Killeen, Texas. 

April 3, 2009: A gunman invaded an immigration services center in Binghamton, N.Y.,, killing 13 people and himself.

Feb.14, 2008: A young man returns to his former campus in Dekalb, Mich., and shoots dead five people before killing himself.

April 16, 2007: Thirty-two people were killed and 17 people were wounded at Virginia Tech by gunman Seung-Hui Cho, who also shot himself. The massacre is the deadliest shooting incident by a single gunman.

Oct. 2, 2006: In Nickel Mines, Pa., a man shoots 11 girls at a school run by the Amish religious community, killing five.

March 21, 2005: On an Indian reservation in Red Lake, Minn., a young man killed two people at his grandfather's home then went to his high school and shot dead seven others.

Oct. 28, 2002: In Tuscon, Ariz., a student angered over his failure to pass exams kills three people, two of them professors, before committing suicide.

Jan. 16, 2002: An expelled law student in Grundy, Va., shoots dead the dean of the school, a professor and a student, and injures three other people.

March 5 2001: Two people were killed and 13 others wounded by Charles Andrew Williams, 15, who fired from a bathroom at Santana High School in Santee, Calif.

April 20, 1999: In Littleton, Colo., Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, shoot dead 13 people and injure 24 at Columbine High School, before committing suicide. 

A 6.3 earthquake off the Southern California coast early Friday morning had an unusual characteristic -- it didn't happen on a fault line like most earthquakes. 

According to UC San Diego seismologist Dr. Debi Kilb, the type of oceanic quake that ruptured on Friday was extremely rare.

"This earthquake was different because it ruptured in a region that has no known fault line and where there aren't large earthquakes," Kilb said. 

The quake was followed by 2 larger aftershocks. One was a 4.7 magnitude and the other was 3.5 magnitude. 

Ron Eroen from the Catalina Harbor Patrol said the quake felt like a rolling motion that lasted some 25 seconds. 

Kilb said overall, about 2,000 people felt the quake. It did not merit a tsunami warning because it was not large enough or near enough to the shore. 

Kilb and her fellow seismologists are still looking into the elements surrounding the quake. 

NBC 7 San Diego's Facebook followers reported feeling the quake in La Mesa, Poway, Ocean Beach and as far away as San Ysidro.

There were no early reports of damage or injuries.

A semi truck rolled off Interstate 8 and into an El Cajon gas station parking lot on Friday morning around 10 a.m., according to officials.

The truck did not or could not stop and went across North Mollison Avenue, hitting a light post and a fence in the process. It then came to a halt at a gas station parking lot.

Officers arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Witnesses said the truck nearly missed hitting people and cars.

Marsha White told NBC 7 in an exclusive interview that she saw the truck coming toward her and ran out of the way to avoid the truck. She said the truck stopped about 5 feet away from her car.

"He almost ran me over," she said. "I think we were about an inch away from being dead...I felt like I was in a movie running for my life.

The woman had been putting air in her tire with her brother and said she feels lucky she wasn't hurt.

"Everything just happened in a second...two people almost got killed," said witness Jayne Alfaro. "I thought this place was going to blow up."

Alfaro said White's brother, Marcus, managed to push Marsha out of the way.

"We helped each other," said Marcus White to NBC 7. "We were lucky to get out of there."

No injuries have been reported and police are investigating the incident. 

 An attorney has been removed from his case after his client slashed him with a razor during court. 

Defense attorney Bill Burgener told reporters that he wanted to continue representing Eduardo Macias even after the defendant cut his face with a razor on Wednesday. 

The attack took place at 10:20 p.m. in Dept. 25 in San Diego Superior Court downtown while a prosecution rebuttal witness was on the stand.

The attack took place in front of the jury as well as members of the public including visiting students from Grossmont High School who were at court to observe the legal process from the gallery.

The judge made the decision Friday due to a conflict of interest. Macias is one of three defendants on trial in an alleged prison assault.

Burgener, who has been a criminal lawyer for 33 years says this kind of incident doesn't happen often.

"I felt I was in the best position to present his case to the jury if the jury was not biased and prejudiced by his actions," he said.

When asked about his condition, he said he was fine, but he wore a bandage on his face. 

He asked the public to focus on the trial that must go on, and wants to remind people that there are still two co-defendants who deserve a fair trial.

The jurors are now being questioned to see if any of them feel they need to be removed from hearing the case.

The sheriff's department said it requires all inmates to be searched and passed through a metal detector before leaving the facility for court. Deputies also check inmates when they arrive at court.
 

Parents might want to have a discussion with their children about violence following the tragic shooting in Newton, Conn. resulting in the death of 28 people, including 20 children.

Nory Benhana, a child and family development lecturer at San Diego State University, offered her expert advice on how parents can communicate with their children and cope with the horrifying incident.

• Put the tragedy in perspective.

“This type of things happens so rarely,” she said. “Parents could unintentionally plant a seed of fear for the child to cope with, but remember it's uncommon and it is very unlikely.”

Benhana said it is important to reinforce that school shootings are an unusual occurrence. She said children can often worry that a similar situation will happen to them, the chances of it are minuscule.

“It is so rare, in the last 20 years I have never heard of this situation like this before,”

• Gage children’s level of interest.

“Open the door of conversation, but don’t dwell on it,” Benhana said. “Kids pick up anxiety, sadness and other emotions that can be heavy for small children.”

She said some children could be very inquisitive, while others may not be very interested. Either way, parents should find out how they are feeling.

• Answer questions directly.

“Ask them what questions they might have and give them age-appropriate answers,” said Benhana. ““Ask the kids the kids what they want to know and what they want to talk about.”

When children are asking questions, parents often jump to the long answer when all children want to know is the direct answer. Keep it simple and encourage discussion, she said.

• Be sensitive to their age.

“We tend to take the rare events, replay them and desensitize ourselves to it,” Benhana said. “But kids can often ratchet them up.”

Since children are so different at each stage of development, she said it’s important to stay sensitive to what they can comprehend.

“It’s a bad and scary event,” she Benhana. “Talking too much about it may be more intense then they need to experience.”

• Do not impose fears on children.

The thought of a school shooting makes any parent cringe with fear, but it’s important to stay strong for your children, said Benhana.

“Parents need to process some of their anxiety and grief with other adults instead of processing it with their children,” she said. “If stress stays elevated for a long time it can cause more anxiety.”

She said some parents tend to worry after seeing dozens of upsetting children and want to react by keeping their kids nearby.

“Do not tell children that when they are unsafe when they are away from parents,” Benhana said. “School is statistically the safest place for children to be.”

For more information, Benhana said parents and teachers can visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website, which offers additional tips for dealing with stressful situations.

Rain will continue to hit San Diego County throughout the weekend, the National Weather Service confirmed Friday afternoon.

Weather conditions in the latter part of the week have brought rain – and even snow – to different parts of the county throughout Thursday and Friday.

And it's far from over.

The NWS says a fast-moving storm system will bring more precipitation and wind to Southern California through early Saturday. One-quarter to three-quarters of rain is expected.

Snow will also continue to fall in Southern California. The NWS says as many as five inches of the wintery white stuff could hit the highest local elevations. Thus, a winter weather advisory is in effect.

Strong, gusty winds are also expected to move in along with the wet weather.

According to the NWS, two additional storm systems will move across Southern California through next week. A weaker storm will move in through Sunday bringing a chance of rain, while a stronger system will bring rain and snow in the mountains throughout Tuesday.

On Monday, San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will get some serious holiday shopping done: the NFL star is taking 50 local kids shopping at Wal-Mart.

It’s all part of No. 85’s annual “Shop with a Charger” event. Gates will provide 50 severely underprivileged children from the Promise 2 Kids Foundation with a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart and join them in the holiday shopping spree.

The private event at the Wal-Mart on Murphy Canyon Road begins with the shopping spree and includes an entire night of fun, food and activities for the children.

The event is sponsored by The Antonio Gates Foundation, the San Diego Chargers and Barona Casino.

Some of Gates’ teammates from the Chargers are also expected to join the party.

The Promise 2 Kids Foundation runs programs that focus on protecting and supporting abused and neglected children. The foundation operates the Polinsky Center, an emergency shelter for kids.
 

Sheriff’s deputies and emergency rescuers were called to aid two hikers who became stranded in a ravine on El Cajon Mountain Friday night.

Officials responded to the hiking area near El Capitan Reservoir in Lakeside at around 8:30 p.m. after receiving a cell phone call for help from two hikers.

According to deputies, the hikers – a 46-year-old woman and 56-year-old man -- reported that they were lost, cold, wet and unprepared for the cold weather. They were not injured, but they were stranded.

Deputies requested assistance from a Sheriff’s helicopter crew and were able to determine that the hikers were on the El Monte side of the mountain.

However, the helicopter crew was unable to actually see the hikers due to the stormy weather conditions. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue then set out to search for the hikers.

Once weather conditions improved, deputies said the helicopter was able to establish visual contact with the hikers, who were stuck in a ravine with limited access.

The helicopter crew performed a hoist rescue and lifted both hikers to safety. The woman was shivering uncontrollably and was transported to Grossmont Hospital. The man was given a ride to his car.

According to several hiking websites, El Cajon Mountain Trail is primarily used by experienced hikers who enjoy rock climbing and skilled mountaineering.

It is not immediately clear how the pair wound up in the ravine in the first place.
 

A man accused of abandoning more than 30 animals – including a python snake – at an out-of-business pet store in Lemon Grove has pleaded guilty to charges of animal neglect and cruelty.

The San Diego Humane Society announced Friday that Charles Mendoza pleaded guilty to felony animal neglect.

In August, Mendoza allegedly abandoned more than 30 animals at Dave’s Family Feed Store.

A python snake, several reptiles, 16 birds, 11 chickens and some rodents were found inside the shop after the SPCA and San Diego Humane Society received complaints that the store had allegedly permanently closed for business and live animals were left inside.

Six animals died inside the store. The SPCA’s law enforcement agency said the other abandoned animals were housed in unhealthy conditions, left behind without water.

The San Diego Humane Society helped lead the animal cruelty investigation.

According to investigators, Mendoza served one month in jail and has been ordered to pay restitution to the San Diego Humane Society.

He’s also not permitted to own an animal for 10 years.

Investigators say there is still an outstanding arrest warrant for another suspect allegedly involved in this animal neglect case.

Anyone with information on this case or any other crimes against animals is asked to contact
the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement at (619) 243-3466.

Sandy Hook Elementary principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung is being remembered as an energetic and dedicated educator.

Upon hearing gunfire at the school during Friday morning’s shooting, Hochsprung, 47, along with the school’s psychologist, Mary Sherlach, ran toward the barrage of bullets to protect students, NBC's "Today" show reported.

Adam Lanza, 20, the alleged shooter, entered the school that Friday morning, and by the time his shooting rampage ended, 20 small children and six adults had been killed. Hochsprung was one of the victims, NBC News has confirmed.

Diane Day, a therapist at the school, was with Hochsprung, Sherlach, a parent and other staff members at a meeting when she heard gunshots, according to The Wall Street Journal. Then Hochsprung and Sherlach rushed from their seats and ran out to help, Day told the Journal. "They didn't think twice about confronting or seeing what was going on," she said.

“She’s a hero today,” Gerald Stomski, First Selectman of Woodbury, Conn., who knew Hochsprung, said on "Today."

Hochsprung’s Twitter page showed how proud she was of her school and her students and how passionate she was about the importance of education. Around the start of the school year, on August 24, she Tweeted, “Welcoming our Kinders this morning… 74 new opportunities to inspire lifelong learning!”

Mark D. Boughton, mayor of Danbury, Conn., who had worked with Hochsprung in the past, said on "Today" that she was "a ball of fire, a ball of energy.”

Hochsprung had been principal at Sandy Hook Elementary since July 2010. She took on that position with 12 years of administrative experience behind her—six of which were served as assistant principal within the Danbury Public School System; five years at Rogers Park Middle School; and one year at Danbury High School, according to The Newton Bee.

Hochsprung was married with two daughters and three stepdaughters, according to the Bee.