Medical examiner seeks genetic clues to shooter

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s chief medical examiner says he’s seeking genetic clues to help explain why a shooter killed 20 children and six adults in a Newtown elementary school. Dr. H. Wayne Carver tells The Hartford Courant that he wants to know if there is any identifiable disease associated with the behavior of the shooter, Adam Lanza. He is working with the University of Connecticut department of genetics. Paula Levy, a mediator who worked with Lanza’s parents during their divorce, has said Lanza was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism-like disorder. Carver says Asperger’s is not associated with violent behavior. He says he’s not considering it as a reason for Lanza’s rampage on Friday. Carver is awaiting toxicology testing results for Lanza and other information. Lanza fatally shot himself as first responders approached the school Friday morning.