Campus officials are calling the shooting a tragedy of "monumental proportions."
By David Lohr
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BLACKSBURG, Va.— According to police a lone gunman killed at least 33 students at Virginia Tech in a shooting spree that began at about at 7:15 a.m. today. Police have identified the gunman as a lone Asian male.
According to televised reports, the gunman first opened fire on the 4th floor of the West Ambler Johnston dormitory and then made his way to a building used for engineering classes. Witnesses at the scene said he shot everyone who crossed his path. During the shooting several students received injures from jumping out of windows to avoid being shot.
On the school's website, there is a brief message describing the shooting:
"Two shootings on campus today have left 33 confirmed dead, including students. Families wishing to reunite with students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. The university is planning a convocation for tomorrow at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy. Counseling is available in the Bowman Room in the Merriman Center (part of the athletic complex) for employees who seek assistance following today's events. All faculty and staff have been released and asked to go home effective immediately. The university will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. but classes are cancelled."
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| Virginia Tech Campus |
In an afternoon news conference Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said officials are working diligently to identify the dead and injured. He described the shooting as a travesty, like no other in the schools history.
"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Steger told reporters. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified. I cannot begin to convey my own personal sense of loss over this senseless and incomprehensible heinous act."
According to late breaking reports, at least 29 people are being treated for injuries they received during the shooting, which is now being described as the worst campus shooting in history.
The shooting is eerily similar to Kimveer Gill's September 13, 2006 rampage at Dawson College in Montreal that left one student dead and 19 others wounded before Gill turned the gun on himself and took his own life.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Virginia Tech Police Department at (540) 231-6411.
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