Widow of school killer thanks Amish people

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The wife of a gunman who killed five girls and injured five others at an Amish school has released a statement thanking the Amish and others in the local community for their "forgiveness, grace and mercy".

Meanwhile, one of the injured girls has been released from hospital, a newspaper reported. Barbie Fisher, 11, whose 13-year-old sister Marian was among those killed, woke up at home on Saturday, a day after she was released from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, her grandfather told the New Era of Lancaster.

A hospital spokeswoman would not confirm the report, citing the family's request for privacy.

In the letter, released on Friday by a family spokesman and addressed to Amish friends, neighbours and the local community, Marie Roberts says she and her three young children have been overwhelmed by the community support since the shootings on 2 October.

"Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need," she wrote. "Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe ... Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you."

Since the shooting, members of the Amish community have said they forgive Charles Carl Roberts IV, who killed himself as police closed in on the West Nickel Mines Amish School.

Before he committed suicide, the 32-year-old milk truck driver said he was angry at God for the November 1997 death of his infant daughter.