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25 Years Ago, Laurie Dann Went On Deadly Rampage On North Shore

Laurie Dann
On May 20, 1988, Laurie Dann shot six children in a school in Winnetka, leaving one dead, then took a family hostage and shot a college student before taking her own life. (Credit: CBS)

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It was 25 years ago today when a tragedy unfolded in Winnetka.

That's when Laurie Dann went on a shooting rampage at the Hubbard Woods Elementary School, killing 8-year-old Nicky Corwin.

Five others were wounded.

In the 25 years since that day, school shootings have become more deadly in places like Columbine and Newtown. But in Chicago, the mention of Dann's violent spree brings back haunting memories.

Dann, 30, had gone on a rampage all along the North Shore that day, including starting a firebomb inside a Highland Park school and sending poisoned snacks to friends, before opening fire inside Hubbard Woods in Winnetka

She then took hostages at a nearby home, and shot a college student before taking her own life.

That student was Phil Andrew, who went on to become an FBI agent. It was a career path directly forged by the tragedy.

Amy Moses, the substitute teacher inside the classroom who tried to disarm Dann, has since left the teaching profession.

It could have been so much worse, said John Fay, former Glencoe deputy chief of public safety and a paramedic who helped save two wounded girls that day.

"She could have killed hundreds of people that day," Fay told the Chicago Sun-Times.

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