Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by John Stattic (talk | contribs) at 21:11, 16 April 2007 (the Columbine article doesn't need to have any influence on this one, plus there were 2 gunmen there, so that format is more appropriate there). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Virginia Tech shootings were committed by a currently unidentified gunman on April 16, 2007, at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. Government officials, the university, and most news sources have confirmed the deaths of 33 people (including the shooter) and 27 injuries sustained from gunshots, which would make it the deadliest civilian shooting in U.S. history.

Description of events

The first shooting occurred around 7:15 AM EDT at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a co-ed dormitory that houses 895 students, where one person was killed and up to four others wounded. Shooting was next reported in a classroom at Norris Hall, an engineering building, approximately two hours later. The number of deaths is still to be determined and the incidents are believed to be linked. Some news sources are also reporting that this shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather that the victims were targeted. The gunman was reportedly looking for his girlfriend.

Two students were injured after they jumped out of a third-story window of West Ambler Johnston Hall attempting to escape the gunfire. These two students escaped, as did several others who were interviewed by news sources who arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting had ended. All classes for the day and the following day were canceled.

In the week preceding the events there had been two bomb threats directed at Virginia Tech—the first at Torgersen Hall, the second at multiple engineering buildings. The university had offered a $5,000 reward for information on these threats.

High winds reportedly prevented emergency medical services (EMS) providers from using helicopters for medical evacuations.

Nikolas Macko, a student at the school, spoke to Ireland's RTÉ News and described in great detail to newsreader Anne Doyle his experience at the center of the shootings. He told of how he had been attending a math class and heard gunshots in the corridor. He and the ten other people in the classroom barricaded themselves into the room, called 911 and waited for help to arrive as the gunman went on a murderous rampage around them. At one point Macko claimed the gunman even attempted to break down the door to their hiding place but, when unsuccessful, continued on his killing spree elsewhere. He reported they spent twenty to twenty-five minutes waiting for the police to free them while listening to the sounds of their fellow students being gunned down around them.

Gunman

The identity of the perpetrator is currently unknown. He committed suicide inside Norris Hall by a self-inflicted shot to the head. He was believed to have used either two 9 mm. caliber handguns or a 9 mm. caliber handgun and a .22 caliber handgun. Authorities said that the gunman carried no identification. Hector Takahishi, a student, speaking to TIMES NOW said that the first gunshots were heard when classes were in progress. "We heard about 30 gunshots in the morning. The gunman appeared to be Asian and was looking for his girlfriend," Takahishi said.

Reactions

The U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate observed a moment of silence. President George W. Bush stated that he was "horrified" by the shooting in a televised statement at 4:01:30 PM EDT. The White House is reportedly monitoring the events. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is returning early from a trip to Tokyo, Japan.

School response

Virginia Tech has canceled classes for Monday and Tuesday, and has asked off-campus visitors not to come onto the campus. The school is offering counseling assistance for students and faculty. Additionally, the Red Cross has dispatched several dozen crisis counselors to Blacksburg to help Virginia Tech students cope with the tragedy that their school has endured. The university will remain closed on Tuesday, and classes are canceled.

Agency responses

In addition to the Virginia Tech campus police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the investigation. Bureau spokesman Richard Kolko stated there was no immediate evidence to suggest a terrorist incident, but that the agency is exploring all avenues. The Virginia State Police are also investigating. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) immediately responded to the incident with 10 agents on-scene identifying the weapons and performing forensics.

Timeline

All times are in EDT (North American Eastern Time Zone or UTC - 4).

Monday, April 16

• 7:15 a.m.: A 9-1-1 call to Virginia Tech Police reports a shooting at West Ambler Johnston Hall, leaving two people dead.
• 9:00 a.m.: Shooter opens fire in classroom in Norris Hall, an engineering building.
• 9:26 a.m.: Emails go out to campus staff and faculty saying there has been a shooting on campus.
• 9:50 a.m.: An email announcing "A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows" [sic] is sent to all Virginia Tech email addresses.
• 10:52 a.m.: Follow up email goes to VTech campus regarding shooting
• 12:00 p.m.: At a press conference, authorities said there may have been more than 21 people killed and 28 injured.
• 2:30 p.m.: AP reports at least 31 killed, including gunman.
• 3:40 p.m.: Virginia Tech confirms 22 dead.
• 4:01 p.m.: President Bush speaks from the White House regarding the shooting.
• 4:40 p.m.: The school holds a press conference with updates on the day's events.
• 4:42 p.m: Virginia Tech confirms 33 dead

Upcoming events

• 5:15 p.m.: A Vigil will be held at the school.
• 6:00 p.m.: Lawyer Jack Thompson will lead a torch-wielding mob of brainwashed conservatives into the heart of Rockstar Games co for what he calls, "fair and just compensation."

Tuesday, April 17

• University will be closed. Classes are canceled.
• 2:00 p.m.: Convocation/Ceremony at Cassell Coliseum.

Comparison

With current death toll reports at 33, the massacre is the single deadliest civilian shooting in United States history, surpassing the Luby's massacre of 1991, which saw 24 deaths.

It is also the deadliest school shooting in the United States, surpassing the 15 deaths of the Columbine High School massacre of 1999 and the 16 deaths at the University of Texas massacre. It is the second deadliest school-related killing in American history, behind the 1927 Bath School disaster, a bombing, which claimed 45 lives.

References

1. ^ Virginia Tech official website, front page, April 16, 2007
2. ^ "Gunman killed after deadly Virginia Tech rampage", CNN, April 16, 2007
3. ^ Robert E. Pierre, Sari Horwitz and Jackie Spinner, "32 Killed in Virginia Tech Shootings, At Least 24 Injured", The Washington Post, April 16, 2007
4. ^ "Virginia Tech Shooting Kills at Least 31", New York Times, April 16, 2007
5. "Toll climbs to 31 in Virginia campus shooting", CBC News, April 16, 2007.
6. Brendan Bush. "At least 32 dead in Virginia shooting rampage", Reuters, April 16, 2007.
7. "Deadly shooting at US university", BBC, April 16, 2007
8. "22 Slain In Campus Shooting Massacre", CBS, April 16, 2007
9. ^ "22 dead in Va. Tech shooting rampage", MSNBC, April 16, 2007
10. Holley, Joe. "Students Recount Shootings." Washington Post, 16 April 2007.
11. RTÉ News at Nine, Monday April 16 2007
12. "Student describes shooting spree", BBC, April 16, 2007
13. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/us/16cnd-shooting.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&hp
14. 32 killed in Virginia Univ shootout
15. ^ Fox News. "Virginia Tech Campus Reels From Shooting That Leaves at Least 32 Dead". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
16. My Fox Washington DC. "Bush Calls Virginia Tech Shooting 'Terrible Tragedy".
17. ^ Front page, Collegemedia.com, April 16, 2007
18. ^ Larry Hincker. "Shooting at Virginia Tech", Virginia Tech bulletin, April 16, 2007.
19. Virginia Tech Authorities Confirm 20 Fatalities, WDBJ, April 16 2007
20. "Bush 'horrified, concerned' by Virginia Tech massacre", Chicago Tribune, April 16, 2007
21. ^ This total includes the killer (except for Columbine High School massacre, where it includes two killers)

External links

• Virginia Tech News Bulletin
• Statement by President Charles W. Steger of Virginia Tech
• NPR: Gunman Takes High Toll at Virginia Tech
• Written transcript of statement by President Charles W. Steger of Virginia Tech
• Eyewitness reports from the Virginia Tech shootings - The Roanoke Times
• Virginia Tech Victim Describes Shooter
• Virginia Tech Cell Phone Clip captures gunfire
• The Roanoke Times' blog-style rolling article

37°13′47″N 80°25′24″W / 37.22972°N 80.42333°W / 37.22972; -80.42333

• Current events
• School killings in the United States
• University shootings
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Spree shootings
• 2007 in the United States
• 2007 crimes