Special education teacher and Vt. native among those killed in Las Vegas

A special education teacher who grew up in Vermont is among the victims of Sunday’s massacre at a country music festival in Las Vegas, according to published reports.

Sandy Casey, a graduate of the College of St. Joseph in Vermont who taught in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District in southern California, died in the attack at the Route 91 Harvest Festival when a gunman, later identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nev., opened fire on a crowd of more than 22,000 from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel.

“The entire CSJ community is saddened to learn that a CSJ alumna, Sandy Casey ‘04, was one of the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas last night,’’ the college’s alumni association posted on Facebook. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to all her family and friends, including the ones she made here at CSJ.’’

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also extended his condolences to Casey’s family.

“Jane and I are deeply saddened to hear that Vermonter Sandy Casey was among the victims in Vegas,’’ Sanders wrote on Twitter Monday evening. “Our hearts are with her friends & family.’’

According to the Burlington Free Press, Casey grew up in Dorset, Vt., and was engaged to be married. Her fiance was also at the country music festival, according to the newspaper.

A message posted on the Manhattan Middle School website thanks “all the MBMS families and community members for your outpouring of support and care as we struggle to accept the tragic loss of our teacher and colleague, Sandy Casey.’’