Demolition crews rolled into Bart Township before dawn and knocked down the West Nickel Mines Amish School where five girls were shot and killed last week.

Families decided earlier that it would be too traumatic for those involved that day to return to the school, and bulldozers appeared around 4 a.m.
Wednesday to tear down the walls that watched Charles Roberts shoot 10 girls and then fatally shoot himself.

Candles burned beside teddy bears at a vigil before dawn, quietly remembering while construction equipment tore down the place that housed memories of the chaotic day.

On Tuesday, Amish community leaders issued a statement thanking emergency workers for their help and outsiders for their support and donations.

The statement said the whole community, Amish and others, "were horrified and shocked that such evil could be done to the most innocent members of our peaceful community.''

The leaders say more than $700,000 has been contributed to a fund that will go toward medical bills and other expenses, including the cost of modifying homes and schools to accommodate the surviving girls' needs.

The 10 girls who were shot came from seven families.

The statement says each act of kindness and the gifts "comfort us and assure us that our spirits will heal even though the painful loss will always be with us.''