Dawn Hochsprung, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary who died in the shootings at the Newtown, Conn., school Dec. 14, had recently implemented new security measures, CNN reports.
In a letter to parents this fall, Hochsprung outlined new security procedures, which included checking identification for visitors if they were not recognized by staff.
"Please understand that with nearly 700 students and over 1,000 parents representing 500... families, most parents will be asked to show identification," Hochsprung wrote in the letter, which was addressed to "Members of our Sandy Hook Family."
The letter also stated that all visitors arriving at the school after 9:30 a.m., when the front gates were locked, would have to ring a bell for entry and would immediately have to report to the main office to sign in.
The Associated Press reported that the shooter's mother was a teacher at the school.
Twenty-six victims died in the shooting, including 20 children and six staff members. The gunman appears to have taken his own life.
Hochsprung, a veteran administrator with 12 years of experience, kept an active Twitter account and was a respected member of the education community.
"Dawn Hochsprung... touched many of our hearts with her professionalism and love for her students," Bethlehem, Conn., first selectman Jeff Hamel said in a statement Friday afternoon, according to the Litchfield County Times. "Our hearts and prayers go out to all the victims from this selfish, senseless act."
WNYT reported that Hochsprung was a doctoral student at the Sage Colleges, having started an education leadership program over the summer.
Lori Quigley, dean of the college, told the station that Hochsprung was "vibrant, full of life and loved her school community" and called her a "truly... caring administrator."
A candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting was scheduled in Woodbury, Conn., Friday night.
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