Virginia Tech shootings leave 33 dead
Colleen Donnelly
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: News
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Two shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., left 33 people dead, including the gunman, and 29 others wounded on Monday morning.
The event marks the worst campus shooting in the history of the United States.
Police have stated that the gunman found dead was responsible for both shootings, but that the matter is still under investigation. Virginia Tech police said they think they have identified the shooter, but have not yet revealed his identity as of press time.
The first shooting occurred at about 7:15 a.m. Eastern time at the West Ambler Johnston Hall, where two students were killed. According to the Virginia Tech Web site, the dormitory houses 895 students.
The second shooting occurred about two hours later at Norris Hall, an engineering building. The gunman and 30 other people were found dead there.
After the second shooting, the campus went into lockdown. According to Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum, the campus was not shut down after the first shooting because it was believed to be an isolated event and that the shooter had left the campus.
According to Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, about 9,000 students present on campus at the time. Virginia Tech has an enrollment of about 26,000 students.
Flinchum could not give any information regarding the people who were killed.
Some students at Virginia Tech told CNN that they were unaware anything was going on. Others got the news at the same time as the rest of the nation. The administration at Virginia Tech sent out e-mails informing students of the shootings, but not all students who were on campus at the time were able to check their e-mail.
President George W. Bush made an announcement about the shootings at about 4 p.m. Eastern time, offering his condolences and his administration's help in the investigation of the shootings.
If something like this were to happen at Cal State Long Beach, Jack Pearson, the University Police chief, said after police learn of the incident, they would be dispatched to the location.
Then police would evaluate the situation and determine whether the shooter was still active or if it had stopped by the time police arrived. After that, the police would try to find the exact location of the shooter and do what they could to neutralize him or her. The police would ask students to take cover, stay away from windows and try to remain calm.
According to Pearson, Virginia Tech police reacted in almost the same way as the University Police would in this situation.
"The best thing [anyone] can do is respond professionally and promptly," Pearson said.
Megan Ramaglia, a sophomore communications major, described what she would do in a situation like the one at Virginia Tech.
"I don't think I would run around," Ramaglia said. "I think I would hide. I'd wait for a police officer to come and get me." Ramaglia said this event has re-enforced her belief in stricter gun control laws.
"Maybe this is a big enough number for [lawmakers] to pay attention. I don't think it's any of the students' fault, or Virginia Tech's fault. You can't run everyone through metal detectors," Ramaglia said. "If you put irresponsible things in the hands of irresponsible people, they'll have negative repercussions."
Karen Schugt, a graduate student in the gerontology master's program, said she expected Virginia Tech to respond better.
"My main concern is that there was two hours between the two shootings," Schugt said.
Many students, like senior communications majors Jordan Greenburg and Andrew George, found the events at Virginia Tech devastating.
"It's hard to think of it happening here," said Greenburg.
George said CSULB is like his "home away from home," and that if similar shootings happened here it would be "like having a shooting right outside your house."
Many students across the country have posted their reactions on Facebook, a social networking Web site popular among college students. There are already numerous groups devoted to the shootings offering condolences and prayers for the victims, their families and other Virginia Tech students and staff.
Students and staff can find out more about CSULB's emergency plans at http://emergency.csulb.edu.