Company Issues Apology for Using Sandy Hook Crime Scene Photo in Ad

A security company has apologized for using a crime scene photo from inside Sandy Hook Elementary School as part of an advertisement.

The company, Commercial Window Shield, emailed the ad to towns earlier this week.

It included a picture of a window at the front entrance of Sandy Hook that had been shattered by gunfire. The email said Commercial Window Shield's shatter-resistant window film could help keep out unwanted intruders.

“I didn't even start reading the article, I just stopped right there and said 'this is what is wrong with this country,'” said Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek. “This company wanted to sell safety glass. This company has sold safety glass to other people in Connecticut. I just think it's the wrong thing to do to profit off a crime like this and show pictures of it."

Monroe, a town neighboring Newtown, opened up one of its schools to the students of Sandy Hook, who continue to attend classes there until a new Sandy Hook Elementary School is built.

Vavrek and Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra sent emails to the company expressing their disgust.

“What I wrote to them was basically that this was insensitive. I think they owe the people of Newtown an apology for using this crime to build their business,” said Vavrek.

The company issued an apology to Llodra via email on Wednesday.

"As you may know, we sent out an email yesterday regarding the installation of security window film. Although it was not our intention, we understand that the email was insensitive and disrespectful. Our intention was not to profit from a tragedy. Security window film is a current topic of discussion among many schools and towns throughout the country, and we were attempting to shine light on this safety measure. We took the wrong approach with the email, and would like to offer our most sincere apologies; not only to those that received this email but also to the entire Newtown community," the email read.

Llodra accepted the apology in an email sent back to the company.

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