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One reportedly dead in Virginia Tech shooting - CNN.com
cnn.com — One person was killed and one person was wounded in a shooting on the Virginia Tech university campus Monday, The Associated Press reported, quoting a state government official. "A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows," read a warning from the university, located in Blacksburg, Virginia.
YoungMaster- 1877 diggs
- digg it
- Rockmaninoff, on 10/12/2007, -2/+210I'm actually at Virginia Tech right now. The article summarizes all the stuff that's happened...I don't really know what's going on as I've been in my dorm the entire time. Apparently there were two students (one reportedly dead) shot at West Ambler-Johnson dormitory, and apparently now (from watching the news) a professor was shot at Norris Hall, an academic building. None of this is confirmed, but everybody's being urged to stay indoors and away from windows. They just showed a live picture of the Drill Field, and it's completely deserted. Hopefully they catch this guy soon.
- Rockmaninoff, on 10/12/2007, -2/+41Sorry for the comment abuse, but according to the website (www.vt.edu and it's being slow) they've got one shooter in custody and as part of routine investigation, are searching for a second.
- TheVtHokie, on 10/12/2007, -1/+55There are also cops driving around the area blasting a warning like "This is an emergency, stay in doors, this is an emergency". This is pretty freaky, reminds me of the shooting in August.
- YoungMaster, on 10/12/2007, -2/+69Best of wishes to yourself and everyone on campus. I hope they get the guy soon and end this ordeal that you and your classmates are going through.
- TheVtHokie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+38Just got an email from the university:
In addition to an earlier shooting today in West Ambler Johnston, there has been a multiple shooting with multiple victims in Norris Hall.
Police and EMS are on the scene.
Police have one shooter in custody and as part of routine police procedure, they continue to search for a second shooter.
All people in university buildings are required to stay inside until further notice.
All entrances to campus are closed. - zeous, on 10/12/2007, -1/+41Stay safe man....
- vbsurfer, on 10/12/2007, -5/+56update....20 killed. What a mess.
- pjisback, on 10/12/2007, -7/+29CNN says 20 fatalities right now... jesus christ.
- Salva, on 10/12/2007, -1/+130*UPDATE*
THE SHOOTER IS NOW DEAD. We do not know if it is self-inflicted or if he was shot by the police.
20 Confirmed dead. 28 Injuries, 3 are now stable! Good luck to all! - ndr557, on 10/12/2007, -64/+10In heinous and tragic events like this, at least there is always a silver lining - the psycho ***** shooter or shooters usually end up dead. Saves everyone, including the families of the victims, a long ***** trial. Everyone who does ***** like this should at least try to find enough decency to put one in their own head.
If only people like this would off themselves BEFORE shooting others. To psycho *****: suicide is the answer. - kniwshmdcknit, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21I'm very sorry. This is horrifying.
- vbsurfer, on 10/12/2007, -21/+63@quokkapox
Go off yourself. - 10001110101, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16@AcePuppy: Hmmm.. I would think that for someone to go on a rampage like this that they must be completely off their rocker.. So hearing testimony about the families trauma likely wouldn't make a difference.
- whiskeymb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+80So weird. My freshman year at VT I watch Columbine happen in my home state of CO. Now I'm back in CO, only miles away from Columbine and I'm watching this unfold at VT.
- sbgunn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+147Despite the fact that the VT student linked to the university's webpage, I think diggers should stay off it unless they have a real reason to look. No need to digg effect a means of communication for those involved in this calamity.
- HunterTV, on 10/12/2007, -23/+28@quokkapox
Welcome to my block list you twit. - wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -9/+7@sbqunn:
Virginia Tech has stopped all email and supplemental servers and have put all their bandwidth into the VT.EDU page... it should be able to support the traffic. Thanks for your concern though. - ndr557, on 10/12/2007, -13/+13@quokkapox, i think people are generally more pissed at the attempt to politicize the event than refuting the validity of your point. You could just as easily have said that orders of magnitude more people die to drunk drivers and cancer, but I don't really think that's the argument you were trying to make.
- Intangir, on 10/12/2007, -22/+14i dont get it
why was this allowed to go on for 2-3 hours?
and why were cops seen hiding behind trees and ***** instead of stopping the guy
if more people carried guns (or at least had them in their cars/houses nearby) they coulda put this guy down immediately - NoStoppingUs, on 10/12/2007, -29/+20democrats defeated a bill that would have allowed handguns on campuses in VA. ***** outrageous
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-50658 - ij00mini, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22Sorry for comment abuse, but here is the Student-recorded video from a VA Tech student. You can hear some gunshots.
Pretty scary.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1802522422474820322 - macmcrae, on 10/12/2007, -5/+31What the hell ever happened to suicide for ***** up people? What made these defective numbskulls start shooting at other people?College is the land of make believe. It isn't even the real world. What were these flaming psycho moron retards going to do when they got out into the world of real stresses and adult pressure. And why kill college and high school kids? Why do we need terrorists to fear when we already have ***** up american kids to play the role?
- rrasco, on 10/12/2007, -10/+6tragic, but the reason CHL should be practiced. i would have dropped him had i had the chance.
- elvenseven, on 10/12/2007, -18/+3How the hell could this happen in a University where emos/psychos shouldn't be at? I know this isn't the first time but this is the worst. RIP to the victims.
- Andronicus1717, on 10/12/2007, -13/+7***** coward.
- NoStoppingUs, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4there are reports that there were threats earlier in the week. to all of you who thought the boston thing was way too much, i ask you to take a look at what the result is when ***** like this is ignored. congrats. you got what you want.
- Andronicus1717, on 10/12/2007, -12/+2What a ***** coward.
- gldfshnpcklejar, on 10/12/2007, -23/+3"young asian american male"
I think the ninja's just won the ninja vs pirate OL debate. - wm2010russ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18***UPDATE***
(sorry for comment abuse)
ABCNEWS REPORT: 25 now dead, numbers expected to rise - ipodman715, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Video from cell phone download: H.264
http://lm2005.googlepages.com/vtvideo.mp4 - ipodman715, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8**CBS says 29 killed**
- oneSaint, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13CBC "Canada" = 32 Dead....
- snypa, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1BBC says 22
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/americas/6560685.stm - Scyth3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7ABCNews is reporting 32 at the least are dead. Also Fox news is reporting the same thing. I believe the AP's count has moved up as well.
- mrfreeziexp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5**UPDATE**
CBS just interrupted my local news to report that there are now 30 dead, including the gunman.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families. - unusualbob, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8EST 2:00 Update
FBI confirms 32 dead
via fox news - gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13***** you, finalnightz. It isn't funny.
- stev31h, on 10/12/2007, -3/+25***** u finalnightz, i'm a student here and everyone here is suffering losses. crack jokes on some other ***** comment board
- washcapsfan37, on 10/12/2007, -2/+21I'm suddenly reminded of an incident when I went to Virginia Tech (grad 1998). VT had a "no guns" policy in effect, but the person living in the dorm room across the hall from mine (Newman Hall) had in his room an illegally-modified semi-automatic AK-47, .22 caliber rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun.
He was an ROTC dropout. Seemed kinda normal. Very gun-obsessed. One day out of the blue he took the .22 over to my room and leveled the muzzle point-blank at the side of my head with his finger on the trigger. He said it was loaded... I never new for sure. He tried to assess my reaction -- I remained calm and very cooly stated for him to lower the gun. He chuckled and lowered the gun and put it away.
There was only a month or so left before the end of the semester. I never reported him for fear of retaliation. - elvenseven, on 10/12/2007, -17/+5Al-Jazeera - 32 Dead
- borninda818, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2Seriously it's a bad time for jokes, are you losers TRYING to get dugg down?
- gldfshnpcklejar, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2@borninda818
Trolls generally try to post rude, morbid comments on tragedies like this, It's for attention. It's not that we don't care about the peoples loss, we just know that posting comments on some site like digg for kicks has no affect except it peoples minds.
So we post the worst comments we can think of, and try to get buried as many times as possible. So in short, yes, because a comment with -300 diggs gets almost as many views as a comment with +300 diggs, it's just about 10x as funny/morbid.
So, yes, troll do want to get dugg down.
Say someone says "Dude I think he dinged level 70," It's a Wow joke, it's morbid, but the fact that you equate the work he had to do to perform the biggest school shooting in the history of the United States to dinging level 70 in WoW is kind of funny. Sure people digg them down. Uptight assholes get infuriated, but lots of people chuckle on the inside. Good game. - borninda818, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3So people laugh and then digg them down? kinda sad. At first glance a lot of these are funny but on second thought when you think about the people who DIED and their families any trace of a smile inside or out disappears. Or at least that's how i see it.
- surfingkid, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0We need to take time to love on those that are not at the top of the social chain. We may never truly know the motive behind such horrific actions that the killer uses to justify his or her means. However when the downtrodden and socially uncool are are excepted I believe a major motive is removed.
http://www.hollywoodsquared.com/
- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Developing story. I've heard some rumors but do not take these as fact:
a) This could very likely be related to the recent bomb threats in Torgersen, Whittemore, and Duhram
b) The person that was killed was an RA in West AJ
c) Upon the shooting, two kids panicked and jumped from the top story window of AJ. One is known to be alright (Source: CNN)
I'm hoping that Blacksburg has extra police from the bomb sweeps this weekend. I know of at least a few FBI from Roanoke that are already in town. Also... my roommates and I are speculating the possibility of a group of students responsible for the shooting due to the distance between the two (West AJ and apparently Norris), but it could always be a crime of passion (since the first victim seemed to be an RA).
Hooray speculation. I'm praying for everyone on campus...- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Update of information: Montgomery Hospital (Blacksburg's local hospital) has been closed to outside patients and is only currently admitting shooting victims.
- blamar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8West AJ has 6/7 floors (one side is higher), so I doubt that they jumped from the top floor, but I've heard 2nd floor consistently.
- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Yeah, some student had said they saw someone jump from the top floor (which could still be true), but all the news reports are now saying second-from-the-top floor of whichever side that is. I'm off campus glued to the TV like everyone else luckily.
Another Update: According to CNN who's source was the vt.edu website (which I can't get to to check because of all the web traffic), all events on campus have been canceled for today AND tomorrow. - wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -7/+3A student just called in saying that he was told by a police officer that another bomb threat has just been called in on Norris, and that the police have setup a command post behind McBryde. For those of you that do not live at VT you can find the map here to follow along. Please note this is alleged and has not been confirmed by any reputable sources yet:
http://www.vt.edu/where_we_are/maps/documents/vt_main_map_lowres.pdf - kai05yang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6from police scanners Montgomery Regional Hospital is accepting patients now
- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18From an RA who was in the Norris classroom: "[we] heard gun shots next door and people screaming so people started jumping out of the window, about fifteen more people jumped out and jake was the last one go go cuz when he was on the ledge the guy got into their classroom"
"what ive heard about aj was that there was a boyfriend that came into the dorm and shot his girlfriend and then the ra tried to come and help and he shot her too, and the ra is the one ive heard that had died"
I just heard the last part on CNN as well.
I apologize for the comment spamming, if I could keep it all in one post I would. I will keep everything I post under this single thread, however. - wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12This is making me nauseous... I just heard from the press conference that there were 20 fatalities... my prayers go out to everyone and their families. This has to be a group of kids. "The lone gunman is now dead." said the news reporter.
- zoto, on 10/12/2007, -0/+33I'm in Torgeson hall, heres the view out the window: http://zotoinc.com/view_from_torg.jpg
Its pretty calm in here, everyone is just looking for news updates and keeping their heads down.- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7It's good to see things are clearing out a bit. You can definitely see the mess of EMT personnel and trucks behind McBryde that are responding to the Norris incident...
- hypoh, on 10/12/2007, -2/+617 students are being treated for injuries so far.
- hypoh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+32News just said 20 dead! My roomate said he heard 29 dead from the police scanner.
- fasda, on 10/12/2007, -97/+7I am finishing up my freshmen here at Virginia Tech and if campus gets locked down one more I'm finding a new school. To those ends can anyone recommend a school with a Chemistry department?
- tpodr, on 10/12/2007, -7/+52Sorry, but I am sure VaTech is the only University in America with a Chemistry department.
- kai05yang, on 10/12/2007, -7/+21this is really a bad time to be selfish, hokies unite
- GoatMonkey2112, on 10/12/2007, -32/+5He probably means a GOOD chemistry department. You people are so freakin picky.
- 1337Einstein, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8Good riddance to you. We lost thirty two people, your leaving doesn't even rate.
- hmalik, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0@fasda
Why dont you go to hell, off course they will offer you better Chemistry classes. its not funny, 32 ppl are dead.
- BigMack9737, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I'm a student at Radford and just heard about all that is happening. A bit of deja vu after the first shooting back in August. Good luck to all of you who are there in the middle of this.
And on a side note, I wonder what changes this will bring to the campus next fall in terms of security. - frodsteamin2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13sorry to hear this has happened...i feel for all involved and affected
- L337Llama, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8I was on my out of my dorm in VT (its actually next to the building where the first shooting happened) when people I know were coming back from classes, and told me stay in because something was going down. There hasnt been much info given out by the school, and the email and school website stuff has been getting slammed.
- esourcemag, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1I was just about to post this... plus I was wondering why it didn't show up yet on the site cause they been talking about it for a hour now.
So far 17 students hurt, one person killed (could be a student or a teacher), the school received some sort of credible bomb threats earlier this month and apparently the person was targeting someone. Their talking about it on Fox News right now. - ipodman715, on 10/12/2007, -7/+3These things never stop...
:( - sra8, on 10/12/2007, -28/+2How is it these tragic school shootings almost always happen in conservative areas?
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5From what I have heard, 17 are being treated for gunshot wounds or other related injuries (several students jumped out of windows).
I find it interesting that I did not receive an email this morning about classes being canceled or anything along those lines. Classes have already been canceled for tomorrow as well.
I hope this situation comes to an end soon without anyone else getting hurt.- ipodman715, on 10/12/2007, -18/+2Crazy windy day.
- vbsurfer, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9This is such a tragedy.
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -20/+2where did you see that?
- JiMiThInG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Wow, yeah CNN is saying at least 20 people are dead. Thats really crazy and sad. :(
My thoughts are with all the students and their family and loved ones.- commiecat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6374823
"At a news conference going on right now, Virginia Tech officials have confirmed 20 people are dead as a result of a shooting this morning at Virginia Tech. One gunman has reportedly been apprehended on the Virginia Tech campus. The Virginia Tech campus is closed and classes cancelled while police continue to search the campus. See related stories below."
I can't even think of anything meaningful to say that hasn't been stated already. :( - commiecat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6EDIT: 22 dead including one gunman.
To anyone else interested in following the story (and can't view the above-linked media stream), Wikipedia is updating quite rapidly:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_shootings
- commiecat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6374823
- Ender06, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6So far they're saying 20 dead. From this link (windows media: mms://a999.l1234555656.c12345.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/999/12345/v0001/reflector:55656 )
(28 wounded?) - checksumz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8CNN is reporting 20 fatalities as of now. So sad...
- slapded, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10va tech is a great school. they dont need this. stupid gunman
- VAJasonL, on 10/12/2007, -0/+820 dead confirmed on the news.
- blackbelt88, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28This is scary. I don't even know what to say right now. This is the worst day of my college career.
- DigginTuesday, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3I can't imagine how bad it is, but you've got a damn good reason to do well at college now in honour of the dead.
My best wishes to all involved.
- DigginTuesday, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3I can't imagine how bad it is, but you've got a damn good reason to do well at college now in honour of the dead.
- geneticlone, on 10/12/2007, -40/+7This is really sad, I am sorry but I hate guns I don't care what you say. Sadly my university, "Neumont University" just opened up a campus in Virginia, I am so disapointed in some people these days.
- kai05yang, on 10/12/2007, -16/+13blaming guns is not helping
- rheaume, on 10/12/2007, -19/+8Lets blame Kerry, Clinton and Obama instead (oh and Iran too)
- kai05yang, on 10/12/2007, -8/+14VT already has no gun policy, a lot help that was
- jeffss08, on 10/12/2007, -12/+18What does 22 killed EXECUTION style tell you? It tells you that the gunman KNEW his victims would be unable to defend themselves.
Chances are a CHL law allowing carry on campus would've stopped a lot of life-long heart-break today...
- cougar618, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1822 Dead now. including the gunman.
This is sad. I could never imagine something so horrible.- sluggoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11The only school shooting I can recall that was nearly this bad was the UT Austin shootings from 1966, when sniper Charles Whitman killed 15 and wounded 31.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Whitman - vertinox, on 10/12/2007, -21/+16Yes, it is a tragedy and is sad, but...
I don't mean to sound crass, but things like this happen to Iraqis, Somalians, and Sudanese on a daily basis and we don't give them a second thought. Our hearts should go out to all humans... Not just when it hits us at home.
And yes my heart goes out to these people in VA as well.
- sluggoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11The only school shooting I can recall that was nearly this bad was the UT Austin shootings from 1966, when sniper Charles Whitman killed 15 and wounded 31.
- bumfish, on 10/12/2007, -2/+48hey guys, I'm from the uk and I just want to say that I feel for you guys at this terrible time
- McTendo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+23I agree. Your Northern neighbour's (Canadian's) hearts go out to all the families as well. This should not happen to anyone, anywhere.
- unre4l, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Yeah same here, I can't even begin to comprehend with the horror and suffering the students must have went through, those shot and even those who were in the vicinity. Thoughts go out to family and friends.
- volleyhart, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10Fatalities continue to increase, at least 22 right now. Such a huge, incredible shame .... prayers to all, and to all those locked in buildings they'll have you out soon.
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18jesus christ at least 20 dead, including the gunmen. This is the darkest day in Virginia Tech history. I am speechless...
- Neomoon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13Condolences from fellow students at Texas A&M, what a tragedy.
- bctrainers, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Virginia Tech webcam: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/webcam.php - It's been up and down.
Sad that this stuff happens... - 420sniper, on 10/12/2007, -139/+20Fascinating.
In June, Virginia Tech's governing board approved a violence prevention policy reiterating its ban on students or employees carrying guns and prohibiting visitors from bringing them into campus facilities.
So how's that working out for you VT?- McTendo, on 10/12/2007, -12/+15bitch got blocked
- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -8/+18That's just obscenely cold hearted and inappropriate.
- jessdub99, on 10/12/2007, -13/+12Prick
- dopo, on 10/12/2007, -16/+15***** you you stupid *****.
- jtkooch, on 10/12/2007, -10/+11Oh shut the ***** up. Do you really think that's at all relevant to the situation right now? Or appropriate for that matter? Let me guess, on September 12th 2001 you were posting on a news group about the World Trade Center's unfortunate choice to use less durable non-leaded glass windows, right?
- justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -14/+29all the gun bans do is prevent the good guys from bringing in the guns, but the badguys will still bring them knowing that no one else is going to have them. i have my CCW but ***** new mexico will not let me carry on campus,its all *****, i guarantee if student were allowed to carry guns, then the death total would only be a few
- DoctorVenkman, on 10/12/2007, -7/+5@ 420sniper
"Fascinating?" Jesus, you sound like a mad scientist. Don't you think "horrible," or "heartbreaking" might be appropriate words? - kniwshmdcknit, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2@justinbaker
Well, if you tell me you can guarantee it... - noots, on 10/12/2007, -12/+11@ justinbaker, yeah lets try and solve a problem by bringing MORE guns to the table.
- PsypherX, on 10/12/2007, -10/+24While 420sniper could have been a bit more tactful, he does raise a very solid point. Criminals and those who wish to do harm have no respect for the law and will acquire guns by any means necessary. All these "violence prevention" policies do is take the means of defending oneself and one's friends and loved ones away from good, law-abiding people, like the many victims of today's events.
I won't go so far as to say VT is reaping what they've sown, however. What I will say is that if they allowed those who passed the stringent qualification process to attain a CCW to carry on campus, there might not have been quite so many fatalities.
A tragic loss any way you cut it. But your anti-gun ***** doesn't belong here, either. - kniwshmdcknit, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5@420sniper
In the state of Virginia it is illegal to smoke marijuana and own a handgun. - pintomp3, on 10/12/2007, -7/+11420sniper: you're an *****. trying to use tragedies like this for your platform is just stupid.
- akatherder, on 10/12/2007, -8/+7If you say gun laws only stop the GOOD people from having guns, then why not legalize EVERYTHING? If we are all mature enough to know right from wrong at all times and never act out of rage, then let's legalize murder too.
Gun laws won't prevent anyone from acquiring or carrying a gun. It just serves as a deterrent by making the consequences more severe. It's like EVERY other crime. The fear of consequences is the only _legal_ regulation that stops people.
Does anyone really think he was the only person on campus with a gun? The others who had guns ran away with the rest of the crowd and hid until the cops came or they couldn't find him.
- EricAnderton, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20I'm absolutely floored at all this.
I attended VT from 1996-1999. I still can't remember a cooler, more laid-back and friendly place than that campus. Sure people had their moments, but that was usually linked to too much alcohol at house parties. Even the sillyness that goes on at Pritchard was the stuff of rumor and legend, but it was anything but violent and deadly.
But this... this just takes all - I can't imagine what it would take for someone to do something so horrible.
To those reading this thread that are at VT coping with this right now: don't loose hope. My prayers and sympathies are with you all.- Firehunter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I am right there with you. This is upsetting. I feel for all of the students, faculty and everyone else at VT.
I was at VT from 2001-2006 and never remember anything this horrific happening. - sinooka, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I graduated in 2003. I live in Denver now and as do many of my friends from VT. We are generally speechless as Blacksburg is so important to us and held backdrop to many of our greatest memories. I can't even begin to put my feelings into words. Our thoughts are with Blacksburg, the students, and victims' families.
- HokieMike, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This is just absolutely incomprehensible. Blacksburg is a very quiet place save for game days.
I walk by Norris for class in McBryde every other day. I see all the pictures of campus on the news but somehow I still feel isolated from it, like it's happening at some other college campus. The reality of it just hasn't sunk in yet. They say it's the worst shooting incident in American history. I can't get my head around it.
My sympathies go out to everyone.
I'm not a representative for the VT community, but I'd like to thank every one for their support.
- Firehunter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I am right there with you. This is upsetting. I feel for all of the students, faculty and everyone else at VT.
- DipDog3, on 10/12/2007, -16/+4Can't really can be 20+ killed can it?
- EricAnderton, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Yep, that's what the reports say.
- kwkemrtapu, on 10/12/2007, -3/+221 now feared dead at Virginia Tech.
- Ibanezfoo, on 10/12/2007, -42/+2Is there more than one criminal? If there is only one, how can they kill that many people without someone growing a pair and tackling the son of a bitch?
- goaliemanpat, on 10/12/2007, -2/+20Easy to say when you don't have a gun pointed in your face
- jessdub99, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I'm sure an m16 to your face would stop you cold. I highly doubt this guy walked into a room of 50+ people and did this. It had to be people in smaller packs. This is so horrible.
- klawz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Good question, I think there were two, but you'd be surprised on how people react once the blood spills.
- wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Not everyone was born a hero; and thinking that fast only happens in the movies. In a realistic view, this was the last thing anyone expected to happen today, and a fight-or-flight response would not send you towards someone shooting with an automatic machine gun.
- Ibanezfoo, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Its sad that we are programmed for fear these days. So many people needlessly killed because nobody will stand up and just expect the police to do everything. I don't blame the kids, I blame the government and media for brainwashing us into timid creatures, afraid of everything. And I have been close to a situation like that.... I watched 2 kids get their guts blown out all over the middle of the street when a rival gang member rolled up in a car and opened fire on them.... I was about 20 feet away. I didn't run away freaking out or anything... I calmly wrote down a description of the car and got as much of the plate as I could... bullets were bouncing behind me. For some reason it didn't really phase me at all.
And, was it a fully automatic weapon that was used, or are you speculating? - Cannon1001, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Around 5 Fox reported that two 9mm hand guns were found, but no magizines so they didn't know if they were using extended mag's on multiple mag's.
- Ibanezfoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1CNN said he had one 9mm and one .22. And the proceeded to hype up the evil 9mm semi auto... They almost described it as a WMD... sensationalism, its the new replacement for journalism!
- kstar6, on 10/12/2007, -13/+4WTF !!!!!!!!!!!!! 22 Now.... HOLY CRAP! This is NOT good people.
- soot, on 10/12/2007, -18/+29An hour ago MSNBC said one, and I was sad enough. 22 dead at Virginia Tech now, says MSNBC... Jesus Christ, this is worse than the Columbine shootings.
All signs show that this guy wasn't going to stop before he was put down.. How can anyone be driven to such an extreme like this, to take the lives of twenty-two people? College students, kids for God's sake.
I'm going to be ***** sick.
***** this country's sick violence epidemic, ***** all these massacres of innocent youths who are going to school in what should be a safe environment. We need tighter restrictions and enforcement of gun laws, and we need to do something to counter and address the problems that people are having that are driving them to do things like this every year.- scabbers, on 10/12/2007, -20/+3It's pure speculation, but it could be a terrorist, I suppose.
- PsypherX, on 10/12/2007, -18/+15"We need tighter restrictions and enforcement of gun laws..."
No we don't, you ***** idiot. *shakes head* Doctors kill more people through malpractice than firearms do. Let's ban doctors. There are more alcohol-related deaths per year than firearms deaths, so let's ban booze. Oh yeah, that car you probably drive daily? Yeah, should be illegal too. - directedition, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23I'm not sure stricter gun laws would have done much. If you're hell bent on killing innocent people to this horrifying extent, you're going to get one either way. I wonder if concealed weapons licenses would have allowed at least one good Samaritan to end his massacre before so many were killed. I don't know what the gun laws in Virginia are like, so it's just speculation.
Hopes and best wishes to the families of the deceased and those who have been wounded in this tragedy. - VinceNoir, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5@scabbers
Shut the hell up you fearmonkey. [SARCASM]There is no such thing as a terrorist on U.S. soil. Only criminally insane politicians killing Americans and framing the middle east.[/SARCASM] How's that for a ludicrous statement? Same as you, *****. - soot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4So what do we do then? Where does the problem start, and how do we address it in a sensible and effective manner, instead of parading the problem around like we are?
- mykool, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6Sure take away a few more of our rights because some ***** does something like this. I feel for the victims and other students at that campus, but making new laws and limits is not, and will never be the answer to stopping these kinds of things from happening.
- soot, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1edit: double post, ignore.
- kelbear, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16I disagree. School shouldn't have to be a prison. This is a horrible situation, no question, but it is an isolated situation despite however frequent it may seem to you. The news does not report that you're safe. It only presents the situations that are unsafe, so it seems like it's all over but it's not. Don't succumb to fear.
Just because this is in recent memory(hell it's happening right now) doesn't mean there should be blankchecks on swapping freedom for security across the nation.
Patriot act, warrantless phonetapping, etc. etc. etc. Hell, I'm sure somebody will end up blaming videogames despite a large number of other factors in his life, for example, him being crazy.
Security can be given up to whatever extent, but it will never be guarenteed until you're dead. I could reach over and kill my co-worker right now, and there's no way to defend against that untli we all live in little boxes at home and telecommute. At some point, we have to accept that crazy lunatics are out there and that yes, there is a risk that death can come like it did today, but that doesn't mean we should live in fear. That's what any terrorist in any organization wants, they want you to live afraid.
Acknowledge the tragedy, and then live life to the fullest for those who no longer can. It wouldn't do to retreat into a shell instead. - RuffRidr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+26Tighter restrictions on guns? VT already completely banned them from campus. You can't get tighter than that.
- soot, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7What I meant was tighter regulations and a more thorough license process as to who can purchase and use firearms in this country... But I just think about what I'm writing, and it just doesn't make sense.
So many of these shooters are deranged kids who grab their weapons from their parents gun closets before murdering a whole group of students.. It just doesn't matter in the end, a crazy person will get his gun.
It's just ***** up, the whole thing, and how we can do so little about it. - markperia, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@scabbers
thats an irresponsible speculation. Just because its something horrible, and done in such a scale, does not make it a terrorist act. It may just be someone's *****-up mind.
My prayers to all that were affected. - vegasbright, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3So with VT banning all guns on campus, why did this happen in the first place? maybee if we just banned death then we could have solved this. the ban on death makes just as much sense as hiding behind gun bans as a politically viable solution to problems such as this.
***** you and your uninformed politics.
Shame on you for trying to capitalize on this tragedy, even if you are an insignificant speck with no influence. - devo9ineteen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@ psypherx
ban doctors? doctors save lives. i can not imagine the grief VT students, faculty and families are going through. lets respect the deceased and for a brief moment not turn digg into a combative political forum and instead appreciate all we have in life.
- Golfrichie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Condolences from fellow students at Penn State. This is a sad day for Virginia Tech. No university in the country deserves this. I pray for the students and families and I hope that if there was more than one gunmen, that they get punished to the full extent of the law.
- devobergso, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7... and also from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
- jbeezer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3...more condolences from Kansas State, this is all just amazing in the truest sense of the word
- jmacdonagh, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7This is such a terrible tradegy. It's even worse to hear the numbers increase everytime I check back.
What bothers me is CNN's coverage of the story. It seems like each paragraph has a "quote" about "mass chaos" and "screaming and running". It seems like they're trying to turn this into some kind of Fox promo for a new drama rather than a real life travesty.
Again, my hopes and wishes go out.- dogbowl, on 10/12/2007, -8/+7I've been following this on Fox News since the story broke. They haven't used the words "mass chaos" or "screaming and running" at all.
Maybe you're watching the wrong news channel - vegasbright, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4@ag:
I dug you down just for watching Fox News
- dogbowl, on 10/12/2007, -8/+7I've been following this on Fox News since the story broke. They haven't used the words "mass chaos" or "screaming and running" at all.
- malaak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Condolences from Wausau....
:-( - CapeKid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20The number is at 22 confirmed dead. The shooter is dead as well.
Even here at University of Virginia we send our condolences to Virginia Tech. No dumb rivalry takes precedence over grieving for the lost. I hope that rest of the injured survive the ordeal. Such a tragedy. - jmdajr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+822, dear god.
- Malhavoc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Are they releasing any names yet? I've got a bunch of friends from HS that go to VT and want to make sure they are all OK.
// worried- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5probably not, and it's hard to get through to anyone in bburg because everyone is using their cell phone. I'd try texting them if you have their #'s.
I cannot believe how much this has escalated in under 3 hours... - wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4They're not even releasing official figures now. I'm assuming the names will be released tonight or tomorrow. There's just too much mayhem going on here right now. Last I heard they were only contacting next of kin (it's the ethical thing to do). I'm AIMing everyone checking on them, I suggest you do the same. Most phone lines are tied up.
- Malhavoc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I've been able to comfirm one of my friends is OK through their fiance, but I don't have numbers for anyone else unfortunately...
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5probably not, and it's hard to get through to anyone in bburg because everyone is using their cell phone. I'd try texting them if you have their #'s.
- skored, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Wall Street Journal is now reporting at least 21 to be dead:
"A gunman opened fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech on Monday, killing at least 21 people and wounding dozens before he was killed, police said." - justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -21/+40the gun ban Didn't stop the criminal from bringing his gun. Did it? It only prevented the disarmed from fighting back and stopping the killer.
Of course, this point falls completely on the deaf ears of the gun grabbers! Watch for the media to blame the gun, and not the scumbag that used it to kill innocents!
Too bad that law abiding, good people have to die because of stupid people with misguided intentions.
May the dead rest in peace!- rheaume, on 10/12/2007, -21/+11Yeah because I want to go to school with unstable morons like this with the RIGHT to bear arms on campus right? Then we would have shooting every second day, brilliant plan.
- justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -8/+24the crazies are going to bring the guns to school no matter what the law is, but if i am able to bring mine (legally) then i can protect my self and the innocent bystanders, and the death total could have been much much less
- rheaume, on 10/12/2007, -17/+8justinbaker
And who will protect everyone when you go bat ***** insane (And you will)
We can just all shoot at each other until were all dead, what a wonderful world. - PsypherX, on 10/12/2007, -22/+21Why the ***** is everyone digging down justinbaker and 420sniper? They're *****. RIGHT.
Ignorant *****, the lot of you. - EricAnderton, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Gun ban? Perhaps. Then again as with any tool, what you purchase a gun for, and what it winds up being used for, are two separate things.
Would the lifting of such a ban really place firearms in the hands of people that will be at the right place, at the right time? I sincerely doubt any RA's would pack heat, let alone more than a handful of students. Realistically, I think you'd just have a rise in general firearms accidents, and tradgedies from guns being in the wrong place at the wrong time, even though their owner purchased one for the best of intentions.
Also, crap "goes missing" from dorm rooms *all the time*. After informing students of the dangers of date-rape, personal theft is the next bullet down on the "list of things freshmen need to know" for dorm-life orientation. Throw guns into the mix, and you have a very serious situation.
VT has operated like this for a *very long time* - the lack of personal firearms is not the problem here. I'm not nocking your intentions, but things like this are rarely so simple. Once we find out why this guy did what he did, and then find out how he obtained a gun, then we can begin to say that "X needs to be done so Y doesn't happen." - klawz, on 10/12/2007, -7/+7quote
We can just all shoot at each other until were all dead, what a wonderful world.
/quote
If I were there, and I was armed, there would only be two shooting. The time the first person shot, and the second time when I shot the original shooter. Of course, only outlaws will carry guns when guns are illegal. Any fool who thinks otherwise, should move the hell out of this country. - justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -6/+13no i will not go insane, i have had alot of training when it comes to firearms and self defense. I will carry a gun on me at all times until the day that i die, not only to protect me and my loved ones, but to protect you my friend. Im not saying that everyone should be able to bring a gun on to campus, but if you have the right training and have passed the same background checks that i have, then we should be able to carry whenever we want.
- Malhavoc, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16Yeah, but what happens when you take down the shooter, and another hero carrying a firearm comes around the corner and sees nothing more than you shooting another student?
- VinceNoir, on 10/12/2007, -13/+10I don't give a ***** how "stable" you think you are. When you lose your head over something and you think you're "right" and the potential victim is wrong, you'll shoot. The point is that I don't trust ANYONE with a gun. With or without training in the proper usage of a gun, you can't train people to control their emotions. You also can't control people to avoid shooting someone by mistake no matter how well trained there are. Bottom line: giving someone the ability to dole out death is bad for ANYONE.
- simpleid, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4The 'crazies' get their guns ban or not. The people who die and can't protect themselves follow the law and have no gun. So why again is arming the weak bad? Because if they're bad to begin with they get the gun -no matter what-, remember? The gun-ban scenario is lose-lose, whether you like it or not. But it's necessary since statistically it's probably safer to let the innocent and weak die then have them freak out and kill randomly or miss and injure others. Oh yea, but it's not worth letting them risk that and stopping the killer from gaining around 10 more victims.
And I still hate guns despite the self-defense aspect, guess I'll be one of those to go early the next time one of you flip out.
Being cynical and objective is only rational, stop beating down the people who aren't fazed but can remain sane even within this chaos. - CedEx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6@ klawz
Just to reinterate Malhavoc since he beat me to it...
Then how would the next guy who's carrying a gun know whether or not you're part of the shooting?
I can just see that situation descend into a massive Mexican standoff, or like that XBox commercial where everyone is going Bang-bang. - justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -5/+12so you are saying that all guns should be banned in the US? Okay say that does happen, do you think its gonna stop the gangs or any other determined bad guy from getting a gun?
And i will be able to keep my cool in that situation, that is what i am trained todo. Also with the reference to someone shooting me because they see me shoot the badguy....this is not likely to happen, but if it does whats a better death total 22 innocent or 1 innocent (me) and 1 gulity (bad guy)
I would have no problem trading my life it allows 22 others to survive - Jugalator, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2Uhh, there's a reason only professionals educated in security are allowed to carry weapons on a ***** campus. :-p
I agree with VinceNoir above. - cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -6/+7@VinceNoir - If you can't control yourself better than that you need help. A gun carried lawfully by a citizen is not an offensive weapon but a defensive one. Consider it a seatbelt. I hope I never have to use it but if I ever do it will be greatly appreciated.
And for all of you who are saying, "What happens when the next guy with a gun gets there?" It is called identifying your target, you don't just shoot without being threatened. God, you people are ignorant. - pandira, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2@ericanderton
just heard a report it was an RA that was the shooter....gun laws are only followed by "law" abiding citizens. Free right to carry would have stooped this guy pretty quick. He KNEW there would be no opposition. It's a "gun free zone" - Jugalator, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2"@VinceNoir - If you can't control yourself better than that you need help. "
FFS, don't tell *him* that, try telling everyone who'd be legally allowed to carry a gun. That wouldn't be that easy, right?
Jeez, with people thinking like some of you, no ***** wonder the US is a breeding ground for school disasters like this. - Impetus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4420Sniper's comments were extremely tasteless considering the tragedy that he is directly referring to. Justin's comments were more appropriate and considerate; hence him not being buried and cursed at.
- JFitzpatrick, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8@VinceNoir: People can train their emotions. I have a toddler, I train her daily on how to channel the impulses of childhood into constructive action. I assume that you resolve you day to day frictions without hitting people, stabbing them, or running them over with your car. I do the same. Having access to a simple tool (a fist, a knife, a car, a gun) doesn't turn anyone into a demented killer. Your logic is childish and absurd.
Also @VinceNoir and all the collective anti-gun commentors: I would shoot and risk my life to save you or any member of your family. Shopping mall, college campus, street corner, restaruant, park, elevator... it doesn't matter where. I would place myself in harm's way to protect the life of an innocent person. Such is the way I live. It is obvious none of you would do the same. - satanatnmtedu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1@ JFitzpatrick
And, how do you know that someone who is for gun control would not do whatever they could to help you? You don't. Instead, you are talking out of your ass to demonize people that have a differing viewpoint from your own. And, you drop to insults which suggests that you cannot defend your thoughts with reasons; you must act like a child. If this is how you behave on digg where you are not under pressure, then I doubt that you would have the calm demeanor under the pressure of a shoot out to act in a responsible manner.
- u2wedge, on 10/12/2007, -0/+19University Advisory:
Shootings on campus; classes canceled; gunman deceased
04/16/2007, Updated 12:40 p.m.
Two shootings on campus today have left 22 confirmed dead, including students.
Families wishing to reunite with students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. The university is planning a convocation for tomorrow at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy.
Counseling is available in the Bowman Room in the Merriman Center (part of the athletic complex) for employees who seek assistance following today’s events.
All faculty and staff have been released and asked to go home effective immediately.
Virginia Tech has closed today. The university will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. but classes are cancelled.
----------------
what is WRONG with people? 22 lives snuffed out for no other reason than an individual's lack of self esteem and mental balance.- threemagic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2>for no other reason than an individual's lack of self esteem and mental balance.
That's pretty ***** big reason... nothing anyone can change now, unfortunately - CKelley010, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@threemagic
Not even close to being a reason to claim 22 other lives... - Netrilix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1ckelley010: I don't think he was trying to justify it. He was pointing out that, in some cases, one person's emotional issues can destroy the lives of hundreds of other people. He wasn't saying it's ok for that to happen, he's saying that it does happen.
- threemagic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2>for no other reason than an individual's lack of self esteem and mental balance.
- aerohead80, on 10/12/2007, -14/+11Apparently a bill was shot down there this morning that would have allowed students/faculty with concealed carry licenses to carry their handguns on campus. Talk about ironic. I wonder if this guy will retract his statement:
Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus."- justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -17/+14Didn't stop the criminal from bringing his gun. Did it? It only prevented the disarmed from fighting back and stopping the killer.
Of course, this point falls completely on the deaf ears of the gun grabbers! Watch for the media to blame the gun, and not the scumbag that used it to kill innocents!
Too bad that law abiding, good people have to die because of stupid people with misguided intentions.
May the dead rest in peace! - soot, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1Oh my God.
- rheaume, on 10/12/2007, -15/+6justinbaker
you know what tard? BLOCKED
I dont want to hear you BS, might as well be telling me that mission is acomplished and there was no moon landing, youre bat ***** insane already.
- justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -17/+14Didn't stop the criminal from bringing his gun. Did it? It only prevented the disarmed from fighting back and stopping the killer.
- 420sniper, on 10/12/2007, -37/+6Aren't university campuses supposed to be gun-free zones? How could this tragedy happen?
My condolences go out to any young college Republican killed today.- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11It's not like the campus is a prison.
Besides government buildings and airports you can realistically get a gun into anywhere, regardless of any bill passed.
It's people that commit the crimes and make the decisions.
This isn't the time to be debating gun law or anything like that, at least 21 innocent people were killed today at Tech. - justinbaker, on 10/12/2007, -9/+18"How could this tragedy happen"
do really think some psycho is going to listen to the rules of not bringing a gun on campus. All this ban does is stop the law abiding citizens from protecting themselves from crazies like him - DeQuinceysDiet, on 10/12/2007, -12/+2You are a horrible person. Shut the ***** up for the next ten years.
- neiltc13, on 10/12/2007, -14/+11Here in the UK this sort of thing hardly ever happens. I notice that it's very easy to get hold of a gun in the US.
I don't think it's any coincidence that laws on guns are much tighter in the UK - in fact it's very, very rare to see a police officer with a gun here.
Forget your stupid human rights and ban the things already. - harrier666, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Recently in my home town, a kid opened fire and killed several people in a mall. This in a state that has very lenient gun laws. I could own damn near anything I want, and I do. I enjoy shooting for fun at a range. The point is, it wasn't some pedestrian that had a gun who shot and stopped the killer but an off duty cop. Most people, armed or not, will run when something like this happens and rightly so. The cop had the training to diffuse the situation, and despite being off duty, he was a true hero. The people who grabbed their kids, loved ones, friends, and ran for cover were also heroes, able to go home to their families and friends another day. Gun laws aren't the problem, people are. The kid killer at the mall saw his family and friends grossly murdered in his war torn home. By the age of 4 he saw more gruesome violence than most of us Americans see on CSI in a lifetime. THIS is where we need to focus our energy. On what makes these people behave differently than the majority and how we stop it.
My heart is bleeding for those who have lost someone today. I don't know what else to say but that sometimes we can feel intense love and loss for people we've never met. I wish my tears could ease your pain. - mcduckov, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4It would be awesome to be armed with a glock and take out one of these assholes with a few well placed shots to the center of mass. I don't know if it makes sense in the grand scheme to allow CCPs generally but that would be a pretty good feeling. "Oh, think you're going on a shooting rampage?? Not today! POP POP POP"
- VinceNoir, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4My heartfelt wishes for your own intense pain and suffering go out. Sincerely and thoroughly. If you want to clean the world up of scumbags, why don't you start with yourself *****?
- cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6@neiltc13 - I suggest you do some more research before spouting such utter nonsense. Violent crimes in the UK ,including murder and armed robbery (muggings) have skyrocketed since you fools let the people inn charge ban firearms. The reason there aren't any people shot is because the criminals don't NEED to shoot if they know nobody else is armed.
- jbeezer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@harrier666: I completely agree, i wish we (humanity as a whole) targetted problems at the source, instead of the apparent problem. I bet we could REALLY make the world a better place.
- CZzyzx41, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Excuse me? You feel sorry for every young Republican that got killed today? WTF is wrong with you? Are you seriously insinuating that you're celebrating the killing of young Democrats, Libertarians, Green Party members, Independents, etc etc etc? Only fat rich white male bigots are allowed to live in this country? YOU sick *****!
- TSorenson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@420Sniper
"My condolences go out to any young college Republican killed today."
You're politicizing a tragedy? How much more insensitive can you get? After this and your previous comment (which was one of the most dugg-down comments I've ever seen, by the way), all I have to say to you is "Welcome to my ban list, *****!"
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11It's not like the campus is a prison.
- aerohead80, on 10/12/2007, -15/+5Apparently in an ironic twist there was a bill this morning that would have allowed students/faculty to carry their concealed hanguns on campus if they already had a permit. I wonder if this guy will take back his statement:
Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus." - marcie714, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Condolences from San Diego. So sorry VT.
- kai05yang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21Statement by President Charles W. Steger
Shooting at Virginia Tech / Statement by President Charles W. Steger
The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. There were two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities. The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus. I want to extend my deepest, sincerest and most profound sympathies to the families of these victims which include students There are 22 confirmed deaths.
We currently are in the process of notifying families of victims. The Virginia Tech Police are being assisted by numerous other jurisdictions. Crime scenes are being investigated by the FBI, University Police, and State Police. We continue to work to identify the victims impacted by this tragedy. I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act The university will immediately set up counseling centers. So far centers have been identified in Ambler Johnson and the Cook Counseling Center to work with our campus community and families.
Here are some of the facts we know:
At about 7:15 a.m. this morning a 911 call came to the University Police Department concerning an event in West Amber Johnston Hall. There were multiple shooting victims. While in the process of investigating, about two hours later the university received reports of a shooting in Norris Hall. The police immediately responded. Victims have been transported to various hospitals in the immediate area in the region to receive emergency treatment.
We will proceed to contact the families of victims as identities are available.
All classes are cancelled and the university is closed for the remainder for the today. The university will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. but classes will be cancelled on Tuesday. The police are currently staging the release of people from campus buildings.
Families wishing to reunite with the students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. We are making plans for a convocation tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy. - wspnut, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Apparently someone just uploaded an inside view from his cellphone of the tragedy. It's on the CNN mainpage, check the link out: http://www.cnn.com/
- Brian48216, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12The cellphone lines are completely jammed here at tech, and since the winds are so high, they can't airlift people to hospitals.
Considering there's 22 dead, 20+ injured, this guy had to have shot, reloaded and shot more.- klawz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6He could have had more than one weapon, doesn't mean he reloaded.
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3edit: wrong reply.
- drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Fortunately the rescue/EMS team in the Blacksburg area is fantastic, and I am sure the neighboring areas of Radford and Christiansburg are also lending some assistance if needbe.
- EricAnderton, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I was thinking the same thing - that's more than a clip and even moreso if some victims took multiple wounds. Is it possible that some people panicked and jumped (and died) after hearing the gunshots? There are some reports (here in this thread) that some people were jumping.
IIRC, it adds up. The rooms in AJ are *claustrophobic* on a good day, with no good (non-obvious) hiding spots. Add to the fact that the dorm itself is relatively tall (6 stories), and you get a tragic combination of factors in play.
- onemoney, on 10/12/2007, -14/+10Obviously, this terrible event will lead to a call for more and stricter gun control laws. Obviously, gun control laws simply do not work. Like most campuses, VT probably has a no firearms policy. The sicko's victims were probably totally unarmed and helpless.
If you live in a state where you can get a carry permit and feel comfortable carrying a weapon, you should start packing immediately. Law abiding citizens must have the ability to protect themselves from murdering nut cases. -
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