2006 West Nickel Mines Amish School shooting

On the morning of October 2, 2006, 32-year-old Charles Carl Roberts IV entered the peaceful one-room Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was armed with a 9mm handgun, 12-gauge shotgun, .30-06 rifle, wire, chains, and tools. After letting the male students and adults leave, he bound 10 young girls, aged between 6 and 13, and prepared to carry out an apparent planned assault and execution. Before police could intervene, Roberts opened fire on the children — shooting all 10 at close range — and then took his own life as officers breached the building.

Roberts left behind suicide notes and made phone calls to his wife before the attack. He spoke of long-harbored anger at God over the death of his infant daughter nine years earlier and mentioned disturbing sexual fantasies involving young girls, though no known prior criminal history suggested violence. The crime was deeply premeditated — he brought wood and tools to barricade the school and wrote suicide notes explaining his mindset.

All of the children were from the local Amish community — known for its pacifism, simplicity, and forgiveness.

Victims

Five Girls Died

Naomi Rose Ebersole, age 7

Lena Zook Miller, age 7

Mary Liz Miller, age 8

Anna Mae Stoltzfus, age 12

Marian Fisher, age 13

Five Girls Survived (All were critically injured)

Rosanna King, age 6 — She survived but was left with severe, permanent brain damage and remains in a wheelchair requiring constant care.

Rachel Ann Stoltzfus, age 8

Esther King, age 7

Emma Mae Zook, age 8

Sarah Ann Stoltzfus, age 12