Demolition begins at Sandy Hook Elementary where gunman killed 26 people

NEWTOWN, Conn. – An official says the demolition has begun of the U.S. school where a gunman shot dead 20 young children and six adults in December.

The top elected leader in Newtown, Connecticut, Pat Llodra, said Thursday that the demolition of the old Sandy Hook Elementary School building will take several weeks. Contractors are being asked to destroy materials to eliminate nearly every trace of the building.

Read More: Newtown marks 6-months since deadly shooting

The mass shooting by a young man who ended by killing himself reopened the country’s debate over gun safety. President Barack Obama’s push for stricter gun controls since the shooting has largely failed in Congress.

A new Newtown school is expected to open by December 2016. Students have been attending classes in a neighbouring town.