At least 31 killed in US shooting
At least 31 killed in US shooting
By Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: April 16 2007 17:26 | Last updated: April 16 2007 20:04
At least 31 people, including the suspected gunman, were killed and many others were wounded on Monday in a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech university, police and university officials said.
The rampage at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in southwestern Virginia began at 7.15 in the morning when shots were first reported at the school’s West Ambler Johnston dormitory. Then, two hours later, shots were again reported at the engineering department’s Norris Hall. Students were warned to stay inside their dormitories during the deadly morning hours as police sought to determine whether more than one shooter was at large.
Eyewitness Alex Senonite, a Virginia Tech junior, told CNN: “I saw all the cop cars. I heard someone say that there were shots fired and I immediately tried to get out of that area. I heard shots fired and everyone ran across the drill field and I started running to my dorm … I think a lot of people here are still in shock and I don’t think we really comprehend what has gone on.”
Officials refused to name the assailant, who was counted among the dead, and did not confirm a final count on the number of students and others that were killed and wounded, but some news reports citing federal officials said as many as 32 people had been killed and 21 others injured in the shooting spree.
“The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus,” said Virginia Tech president Charles Steger. The incident is being investigated by local police, the FBI and State Police.
“I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act,” he added.
President George W. Bush also sent his condolences to the Virginia school. His spokeswoman said the president was “horrified” and felt “deep concern” in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
The shooting marked the second deadly incident this year at Virginia Tech, which is known for its competitive science and engineering curriculum.
The tragedy immediately invoked comparisons with the deadly shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 in which two teenagers shot 13 classmates and teachers before taking their own lives. Monday’s tragedy is expected, like the events at Columbine did, to spur a national debate on guns and school violence, but one expert said he did not believe the Virginia Tech shooting would ultimately have an impact on policy.
“My weary prediction is this won’t do anything to the debate, this has been happening off and on for almost 10 years. After the initial shock around Columbine, subsequent incidents didn’t create real attention or shift in important policy areas,” said David Kennedy, the director for the centre for crime prevention and control at the John Jay college of criminal justice.
Mr Kennedy said that despite the frequent flare-ups of gun violence, that the US has not taken any meaningful steps on the traditional debate of gun control or curbing access to illicit weapons.
By Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: April 16 2007 17:26 | Last updated: April 16 2007 20:04
At least 31 people, including the suspected gunman, were killed and many others were wounded on Monday in a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech university, police and university officials said.
The rampage at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in southwestern Virginia began at 7.15 in the morning when shots were first reported at the school’s West Ambler Johnston dormitory. Then, two hours later, shots were again reported at the engineering department’s Norris Hall. Students were warned to stay inside their dormitories during the deadly morning hours as police sought to determine whether more than one shooter was at large.
Eyewitness Alex Senonite, a Virginia Tech junior, told CNN: “I saw all the cop cars. I heard someone say that there were shots fired and I immediately tried to get out of that area. I heard shots fired and everyone ran across the drill field and I started running to my dorm … I think a lot of people here are still in shock and I don’t think we really comprehend what has gone on.”
Officials refused to name the assailant, who was counted among the dead, and did not confirm a final count on the number of students and others that were killed and wounded, but some news reports citing federal officials said as many as 32 people had been killed and 21 others injured in the shooting spree.
“The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus,” said Virginia Tech president Charles Steger. The incident is being investigated by local police, the FBI and State Police.
“I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act,” he added.
President George W. Bush also sent his condolences to the Virginia school. His spokeswoman said the president was “horrified” and felt “deep concern” in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
The shooting marked the second deadly incident this year at Virginia Tech, which is known for its competitive science and engineering curriculum.
The tragedy immediately invoked comparisons with the deadly shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 in which two teenagers shot 13 classmates and teachers before taking their own lives. Monday’s tragedy is expected, like the events at Columbine did, to spur a national debate on guns and school violence, but one expert said he did not believe the Virginia Tech shooting would ultimately have an impact on policy.
“My weary prediction is this won’t do anything to the debate, this has been happening off and on for almost 10 years. After the initial shock around Columbine, subsequent incidents didn’t create real attention or shift in important policy areas,” said David Kennedy, the director for the centre for crime prevention and control at the John Jay college of criminal justice.
Mr Kennedy said that despite the frequent flare-ups of gun violence, that the US has not taken any meaningful steps on the traditional debate of gun control or curbing access to illicit weapons.
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