April 16, 2007
Va. Tech Massacre Toll Now 32 Dead
At least 32 people are now confirmed dead in a mass shooting at Virginia Tech, FOX News is reporting. Police believe the gunman, who is now dead, was acting alone. The shooting was the worst act of gun violence in U.S. history, CNN reported.
"I cannot begin to convey my own personal sense of loss over this senseless and incomprehensible heinous act," Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said at a news conference. Steger said that classes were canceled through tomorrow, and that all remaining on campus would be evacuated throughout the day.
At least 28 people were wounded in the rampage, FOX affiliate WTTG is reporting. Authorities were working to identify victims and notify next of kin.
It was not clear if the gunman shot himself after the killing spree or was shot by police or security personnel. Witnesses described him as in his 20s and possibly Asian, according to TV reports.
University police, Virginia state police and the FBI were investigating today's events. In a daily briefing, a White House spokeswoman said President Bush was "horrified" at the news of the massacre. She added that federal resources would be made available to local investigators.
The Senate held a moment of silence this afternoon for what Minority Leader Mitch McConnell termed an "unspeakable tragedy." Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visibly shaken, informed lawmakers from the House floor today that the reported death toll had risen from 21 to 32 before leading a moment of silence.
Gov. Tim Kaine, who was leading a trade delegation in Asia, was heading back from Japan and is expected back in Virginia tomorrow morning. "The state is working closely with Tech officials, local law enforcement, and the community health system to provide whatever additional resources and support may be needed," Kaine said in a statement expressing his condolences.
The governor also declared a state of emergency for the Blacksburg area.
Steger presented a rough outline of the series of events. The first 911 call came in to university police at around 7:15 a.m. EDT, he said. "Multiple victims" were claimed in that shooting, which occurred at a residence hall.
The gunman then apparently moved on to Norris Hall, a classroom building on the opposite side of campus. Reports of that shooting, which seemed to have claimed most of the victims, came in sometime past 9. The gunman was killed in the Norris Hall incident.
Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said he did not know if the gunman was a student. In the confusion, WRC-TV had earlier reported that a suspect was in custody and police were searching for a second gunman.
The Blacksburg, Va., campus was to reopen tomorrow for a convocation to "begin the healing process," Steger said. Counseling would be available to students and personnel.
This is the second crime-related incident to shut down Virginia Tech in a year. Last August, police closed down the campus after an escaped inmate suspected of killing a sheriff's deputy hid out on the grounds. He was eventually discovered and arrested.
The Washington Post, NBC affiliate WRC-TV, AP and CNN are among the news organization actively following this story.
