This month marks four years since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.

 

On Tuesday the State Theatre in State College showed “Newtown,” a documentary which highlights the emotional perspectives of those affected by the shooting, primarily one of the first responders.

 

20 children and six adults were shot and killed by Adam Lanza, 20, who later shot himself.

 

After the movie, State College Area School District administrators and local police held a discussion panel for audience members to join in on.

 

Kylie Foley, a student at Penn State, said these conversations are necessary for all communities.

 

 “I find knowledge very important and I think that by doing this I’ll be able to gain some knowledge about what happened, why it happened and how we can prevent it in the future,” Foley said.

 

Stacy Parks Miller, the District Attorney for Centre County was a member on the panel and said it’s important to be proactive.

 

“…My community is just like their community. This could happen here. And by the way it did happen here. People sometimes forget that.,” Parks Miller said.

 

in 1996 a State College native opened fire on the Penn State campus, killing one student and injuring another.

 

Parks Miller said the person who took that 911 call still works at the same responding office, which exemplifies how relevant this issue remains to the region.

 

She said background checks, and gun and ammunition regulations are issues that need to be focused on.

 

But ultimately she said everyone should remember the common goal, which is to save lives.

 

She added that simply being aware of our surroundings can make a difference.

 

 “A lot of people later say we saw signs, so if perhaps you can get to the root of the issue earlier, it may not end like this,” Parks Miller said.

 

She encouraged everyone to remember that if you “See something, Say Something.”