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by CollegiateTimes.com
Recently elected Governor Tim Kaine has announced that
Blacksburg is in a state of Emergency after an alleged lone gunman
allegedly killed two students, one male and one female, early this
morning at 7 a.m., and later allegedly massacred
Norris Hall, an academic building
raising the death toll up to 33. Two hours after the first shooting the
gunman was seen inside the second floor of Norris Hall allegedly
searching for someone. At around 9:15 this morning the shooter began
opening fire on students and faculty in classrooms, who attempted to
barricade themselves inside their classrooms. The alleged murderer had
apparently planned his move into Norris Hall after police reported he
had chained entrances closed to prevent easy exit for potential
escapees.
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A French class in Holden Hall takes cover -- Chase
Damiano
Monday, April 16th 2007 8:19PM
Police update press on shootings
Joe Kendall, CT Managing Editor
Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum said that there
has been a preliminary identification of the shooter in the incident
that took place in Norris Hall but would not definitively state whether
the shooter was the same as the one that left two dead in
West Ambler
Johnston Hall. Flinchum back-tracked from his statement that the
description Ambler Johnson Hall shooter did not match the description of
the Norris Hall shooter, leaving it unclear as to whether police were
actively pursuing a second suspect in the case.
Flinchum said that police were pursuing an additional
"person of interest" but would give a description.
Two weapons were recovered, but police were not prepared to
release their make or model, Flinchum said.
Monday, April 16th 2007 5:01PM
Parents are advised to call 1-540-231-3787.
Monday, April 16th 2007 4:59PM
Preliminary reports detail tragedy
Christopher Ritter, CT Online Director
According to Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum,
preliminary reports have stated that the doors of Norris Hall were
chained. The shooter killed himself within Norris Hall and bodies were
found throughout the building. No additional persons are in custody.
Monday, April 16th 2007 4:54PM
Virginia Tech Police explains shooter's death
Christopher Ritter, CT Online Director
Police have confirmed that the shooter took his own life.
Monday, April 16th 2007 4:44PM
University Relations confirms death count
Christopher Ritter, CT Online Director
University Relations has confirmed 31 deaths at Norris
Hall, in addition to two deaths at West Ambler Johnson. The identity of
the shooter is currently unknown as no identification was present with
the suspect.
Monday, April 16th 2007 4:39PM
Blacksburg Transit to run shuttle service tomorrow
David Harries, CT Head Copy Editor
BT busses will run between the Inn at Virginia Tech and
residence halls starting at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. The bus service
will run through 5:00 p.m. The bus will stop at the intersection of
Washington Street and Spring Road and run to the Inn. Parents should
gather at the Inn at Virginia Tech determine information about their
student.
Monday, April 16th 2007 4:26PM
A memorial will be held at 2PM in Cassell Coliseum.
Monday, April 16th 2007 4:24PM
President Bush remarks on tragedy
David Harries, CT Head Copy Editor
President Bush addressed the nation at 4:15 p.m. He spoke
out against the violence that struck Virginia Tech earlier this morning.
Bush said that he would be "praying for the victims and their families
and all members of the university community." Bush also offered any
necessary support to Tech and local law enforcement and said, "schools
should be places of sanctuary and safety."
Monday, April 16th 2007 2:37PM
Fox News is reporting that the police have recovered two 9mm handguns.
Monday, April 16th 2007 2:13PM
As of now, 32 people are confirmed dead. One person from West Ambler
Johnston Hall and at least 20 people from Norris Hall have been killed.
The shooter as well has been killed, but it is uncertain as to whether
it is a student or not.
Monday, April 16th 2007 1:29PM
Dining halls have been cleared to resume operations.
The university is requesting that students limit movement
while police continue their investigation.
Counseling services will be available until 9:00 p.m.
tonight in Ambler Johnston's third cross-over lounge for those who
reside in West or East Ambler Johnston. General counseling will be
available to the rest of the campus community at McComas Hall until 9:00
p.m.
Multiple fatalities result from Campus shooting
Monday, April 16th 2007 1:16PM
Police order students off the streets at the corner of
McBryde and Torgersen -- Joseph Bernardo / Collegiate Times
Kevin Anderson and Saira Haider
CT News Staff
Multiple shootings occurred on campus this morning. There
have been 20 fatalities in a shooting that occurred in Norris Hall.
There was one fatality in West Ambler Johnston and the other fatality
was the shooter, who has not yet been identified, said Virginia Tech
President Charles Steger at a press conference.
The first shooting occurred at 7:15 a.m. in West Ambler
Johnston. Twenty of the fatalities occurred in Norris Hall, which
happened approximately two hours later. The victims have not yet been
identified. Some are confirmed as students. It has not been confirmed
whether or not the shooter is a student.
Victims have been transported to various hospitals in the
area. The victims' families will be notified as soon as the victims are
identified.
The Virginia Tech Police, State Police and FBI are
investigating. Campus will be closed for the remainder of the day. It
will reopen tomorrow at 8 a.m, but classes will be cancelled.
Police are still investigating whether the two shootings
are related. They are also investigating if it has any relation to the
recent bomb threats on Techıs campus.
The police are sure that the campus is secure but advise
everyone to remain indoors.
Campus traffic has been restricted; however, students are
now able to leave campus if they wish. Families who wish to reunite with
their students are encouraged to meet at The Inn at Virginia Tech. The
best advice is to remain indoors, Steger said.
"I cannot begin to convey my own personal sense of loss
over the senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act,"
Steger said.
Counseling will be available in Ambler-Johnston and the
Cook Counseling Center. A convocation is scheduled tomorrow at noon at
Cassell Coliseum for the university to come together to begin to deal
with tragedy, Steger said.
Another press conference will be scheduled later this
evening. The story will be updated as information is released.
Monday, April 16th 2007 12:23PM
Virginia Tech police have confirmed 22 fatalities resulting from the
campus shootings today. The gunman has also been confirmed dead.
Three people were escorted out of Norris Hall by police.
The three were handcuffed, separated, questioned, unhandcuffed and then
canine teams were sent into Norris Hall said junior computer engineer
Nick Saunders who watched the events unfold from the the second floor of
Randolph Hall.
According to the university, classes have been cancelled
for Tuesday, April 17.
Monday, April 16th 2007 11:57AM
Three people were escorted out of Norris Hall in handcuffs by police.
The three were then unhandcuffed and canine teams were sent into Norris
Hall.
Monday, April 16th 2007 11:50AM
The Associated Press has reported at least one death and seven injuries
stemming from two shooting incidents on the Virginia Tech campus. Police
have taken one person into custody and continue to search for another as
part of routine procedure.
Monday, April 16th 2007 11:36AM
At this time, University Relations is reporting one individual in
custody and is searching for a second shooter. The Collegiate Times will
publish information as it is made available.
Monday, April 16th 2007 10:36AM
Due to serious wind helicopters cannot be used to transfer the injured.
According to the police scanner, ambulances are being used to transport
the victims to Montgomery Regional Hospital.
Monday, April 16th 2007 10:32AM
At this time, one death and one injury have been confirmed. More
information will be made available as it breaks.
Monday, April 16th 2007 10:20AM
All classes are canceled.
Monday, April 16th 2007 10:04AM
The university is encouraging everyone to stay indoors and away from
windows. West Ambler Johnston and Squires are currently on confirmed
lock down.
Monday, April 16th 2007 10:00AM
A gunman is confirmed loose on campus.
Monday, April 16th 2007 9:47AM
Shots were fired on campus in West Ambler Johnson Hall in the early
morning hours.
The Collegiate Times is currently investigating the story.
More information will be posted as it is made available.
Monday, April 16th 2007 6:07PM
Govenor Tim Kaine reacts to crisis
T.Rees Shapiro, CT Staff Writer
Recently elected Govenor Tim Kaine has
announced that Blacksburg is in a state of Emergency after an alleged
lone gunman allegedly killed two students, one male and one female,
early this morning at 7 a.m., and later allegedly massacred Norris Hall,
an academic building raising the death toll up to 33. Two hours after
the first shooting the gunman was seen inside the second floor of Norris
Hall allegedly searching for someone. At around 9:15 this morning the
shooter began opening fire on students and faculty in classrooms, who
attempted to barricade themselves inside their classrooms. The alleged
murderer had apparently planned his move into Norris Hall after police
reported he had chained entrances closed to prevent easy exit for
potential escapees.
Some students jumped out windows to stay
away from gunfire.
The most recent reports indicate 33
people have died including the shooter. It is currently unconfirmed if
the killer was a Tech student, but officials have noted his intimacy
with the campus of Virginia Tech and assume he has had some connection
with the University at some point.
Government organizations on campus
include the FBI, DEA, ATF, State Police, Red Cross, and various counties
surrounding campus assisting with the situation.
President Bush made a nationally
televised appearance at 4:12 p.m. today to relate his remorse over the
massacre.
The University has closed all activity
for the day, and has cancelled classes in advance for tomorrow. Many
teachers have been emailing students to confirm their well-being and
safety. Facebook, a social website aimed at students, has seen a surge
of activity for groups created in honor of the memory of Tech Students
injured or killed and their families.
All students have been asked to call home
to notify parents of their location and status.
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