PBS/Independent Lens to Air Acclaimed Documentary NEWTOWN, 4/3

On December 14, 2012, a disturbed young man committed a horrific mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that took the lives of 20 elementary school children and six educators. Kim A. Snyder's searing new documentary NEWTOWN, filmed over the course of nearly three years, uses deeply personal, never-before-heard testimonies to relate the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history. Through raw and heartbreaking interviews with parents, siblings, teachers, doctors and first responders, Newtown documents a traumatized community still reeling from the senseless tragedy, fractured by grief but driven toward a sense of purpose. Newtown premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS Monday, April 3, 2017, 10:00-11:30PM ET (check local listings) on PBS.

There are no words of compassion or reassurance that can bring back those who lost their lives during the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Instead, Snyder delves into the lives and homes of those who remain, all of whom have been indelibly changed by the events. They speak candidly about their grief, anger and disbelief over what occurred and their disappointment that nothing has truly changed with regard to the country's legal response to gun violence. Newtown bears witness to their profound grief and allows it to reverberate within our collective conscience, exploring what happens to a community after it becomes the epicenter of a national discussion and what it must cope with after the cameras leave.

"Working with Kim on this film has been a deeply rewarding experience," said Lois Vossen, INDEPENDENT LENS executive producer. "The team was committed to making a film that was incisive without being exploitative. Newtown shows the impact of trauma on a community, the grief gun violence causes and how we begin to heal and move forward."

Visit the Newtown page on Independent Lens, which features more information about the film. Newtown will be available for online viewing on the site beginning April 4, 2017.

About the Participants, in Alphabetical Order:

Mark Barden, the father of Daniel, who at age seven was killed at Sandy Hook. Mark's journey from isolation to reconnection with family, community and ultimately with his murdered son is intimate, raw and informed by strength.

Dr. William Begg, ER doctor, Danbury Hospital.

Sgt. Bill Cario, Connecticut State Trooper.

Abbey Clements, Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher.

Sarah Clements, daughter of surviving Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher.

Nicole Hockley, mother of Dylan, one of the children murdered at Sandy Hook. Her son, Jake, a third grade survivor, is manifesting symptoms of PTSD. In the midst of all this, her unrelenting conviction to effect change connects her with fellow bereaved parent Mark Barden.

Mary Ann Jacob, Sandy Hook Elementary School library clerk.

Melissa Malin, Newtown resident and neighbor of the Barden family.

Gene Rosen, Sandy Hook Elementary School neighbor.

Rick Thorne, Sandy Hook Elementary School custodian.

Laurie Veillette, volunteer EMT.

David Wheeler, whose youngest son Ben was killed at Sandy Hook.Active in the Newtown community, he shares his story out of the desire to protect the rest of the world from going through what his family endured.

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