Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Multiple fatalities result from Virginia Tech campus shooting
By Kevin Anderson & Saira Haider
The Collegiate Times (Virginia Tech)
04/16/2007

(U-WIRE) BLACKSBURG, Va. — Multiple shootings occurred on campus Monday morning. As of 2 p.m. ET, 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.

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 Techąs 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 Monday evening. The story will be updated as information is released.

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