The Office of The Chief State’s Medical Examiner has confirmed that first grade teacher, Victoria Soto, a native of Stratford and 2003 graduate of Stratford High School, was among the victims of Friday’s school massacre in Newtown Friday, Dec. 14.
Soto’s cousin, Jim Wiltsie, told Connecticut News 12 this morning that one of the hardest parts was waiting to hear whether the teacher was dead or alive.
“At that point, it was the hardest thing for the whole family, just a waiting game to receive word on what happened to Vicki’s class,” Wiltsie said.
According to a source, the Hartford Courant reported that Soto was the teacher in room 10 which was adjacent to the room where the shootings began. The source said that she hid as many as 16 students in the room, some perhaps in a bathroom, in the moments before gunman, Adam Lanza, entered the room.
None of Soto’s students are reported to have lost their lives and Soto is being hailed for what many are saying were acts of heroism in her final moments.
An outpouring of support for Soto’s family has been ongoing throughout the overnight and today as posts on social media sites such as Facebook
One such post read, “I have never been more proud to be from Stratford or to be a teacher. God bless Victoria, her family and friends, and all of those who were involved today in anyway. Victoria is a true hero.”
A candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. this evening at Stratford High School.