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Post by inuvik on Apr 16, 2007 15:29:08 GMT -5
Terrible tragedy this morning....
Toll climbs to 31 in Virginia campus shooting
'We heard some loud banging … then we heard some screaming.…It didn't stop for at least two or three minutes'
Last Updated: Monday, April 16, 2007 | 4:00 PM ET
CBC News
At least 31 people are dead and several others wounded after a gunman opened fire at a Virginia college on Monday in what is being described as the worst campus shooting in U.S. history, according to government officials.
The suspected gunman was among the dead at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, a town with a population of 39,573, campus police Chief W.R. Flinchum told a news conference at noon.
Police said they weren't immediately sure whether the gunman was a student, or whether he killed himself or was shot by police.
By about 2 p.m. ET, some U.S. broadcasters were reporting that a number of wounded people had died of their injuries.
"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," university president Charles Steger said. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2007 15:40:07 GMT -5
I've just watched some of the videos on this - there are no words that can express this senseless tragedy. Needless to say, we are all shocked by this - those of us on this board who live in cities that were directly affected by a tragedy can taste the wretched acid-feeling in our stomachs again.
31 (or more) killed - innocent students paving the way to a better and brighter tomorrow. In times like this, one can't help but ask "where was God?"
I am truly at a loss.
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Post by inuvik on Apr 16, 2007 15:46:51 GMT -5
And it keeps happening, over and over again, from elementary schools to post-secondary institutions. It never seems to end.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2007 15:47:31 GMT -5
Question to the board: do we know anyone who lives in the area? My guess is no, but I'd like confirmation.
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Post by bjobsessed on Apr 16, 2007 16:04:41 GMT -5
I just got home so I know nothing about this. I have to turn on the news. I wonder if things like this will ever stop? A very sad story to come home to.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2007 16:23:10 GMT -5
Just in: death toll rose to 33.
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Post by Katryna on Apr 16, 2007 16:29:56 GMT -5
Question to the board: do we know anyone who lives in the area? My guess is no, but I'd like confirmation. No - isn't LL the only VA Board member? However...a friend of mine who lives in Northern VA has twin daughters who are freshman at VA Tech. Thank God they are physically unhurt! |
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Post by Chris on Apr 16, 2007 16:39:10 GMT -5
This is so scary, I can't believe that something like this really happens, but it does.
It was on the news here as well, such a tragedy.
33 people killed, so sad.
- Chris
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Post by Duchess of Lashes on Apr 16, 2007 16:48:56 GMT -5
It has been a very subdued day at work today - although I don't personally know anyone who attends Virginia Tech so many of the people I work with are alumni or know someone who is or whose child attends the school.
Having lived in Lynchburg for a few years, and having had occasion to visit Blacksburg on several occasions, I can attest to the fact that it is a friendly, quaint and quiet college town.
Such a senselss and needless tragedy....yet we, as a nation, continue to fight for the right to bear arms......why?
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Post by hoosier on Apr 16, 2007 17:56:14 GMT -5
What I don't understand is some people need to go out and shoot people they don't even know! Were they angry at a specific person or at the institution itself? Why kill so many others? Why did they feel that the only way to remedy it was to use a gun? With the gunman/men dead, we will probably never know what the real reason was. I have personally thought that the human race is slowly going insane and this, sadly, only confirms it.
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Post by Colorado girl on Apr 16, 2007 20:37:26 GMT -5
It will be eight years ago this coming Friday that the Columbine tragedy happened in my school district. It changed everything as we know it here in Colorado. Whether it be Columbine, 9/11 or this horrific shooting today, there is never an answer that makes any sense to those of us who are just regular sane people. I do believe that there are some very evil people in this world as well as insane ones that never just take themselves out, but have the need to kill others along with themselves. It is such a ripple effect for the community involved. My heart goes out to all those involved.
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Post by mlm828 on Apr 16, 2007 21:53:07 GMT -5
My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this terrible tragedy -- and all of the other similar tragedies which have occurred. Such a senseless and needless tragedy....yet we, as a nation, continue to fight for the right to bear arms......why? How many of these horrible events will it take before our society comes to its senses about guns? Unfortunately, I think I already know the answer.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2007 22:10:27 GMT -5
My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this terrible tragedy -- and all of the other similar tragedies which have occurred. Such a senseless and needless tragedy....yet we, as a nation, continue to fight for the right to bear arms......why? How many of these horrible events will it take before our society comes to its senses about guns? Unfortunately, I think I already know the answer. Amen to your comment, Martha and Lori! But, even still, someone, somewhere, will get hold of a gun underground, like everything else that's corrupt. |
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Post by Katryna on Apr 17, 2007 4:32:50 GMT -5
My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this terrible tragedy -- and all of the other similar tragedies which have occurred. How many of these horrible events will it take before our society comes to its senses about guns? Unfortunately, I think I already know the answer. Amen to your comment, Martha and Lori! But, even still, someone, somewhere, will get hold of a gun underground, like everything else that's corrupt. I agree with you Barb. Eliminating guns from society would be wonderful, but I am sure the people who really want one will still be able to get one. Unfortunatley, the "criminal element" will be at the top of the list of buyers. Apparently they still have no motive for yesterday's rampage. Had it been planned for some time, or was it a fairly spontaneous act? I think one of the gun supporters' slogans is something like "Guns don't kill people. People kill people". If a gun had been unavailable to the shooter, it would have been impossible (in my opinion) to take so many lives in that period of time. Again, though, I think Barb is right. |
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Post by inuvik on Apr 17, 2007 12:05:40 GMT -5
I heard this morning on the news that he had just had a big fight and just broken up with his girlfriend. She was one of the two that were killed first thing in the dorms. The other one was a Residence Advisor (employee).
Students were killed, as well as staff members there--seems like no one was safe.
I agree with everyone's comments about gun control, I don't know if there is a solution. I do know that this happens here too. Last fall at Dawson College in Montreal, 1 dead and 20 injured. Also, a week after Columbine, we had 1 student killed in Taber, Alberta. Canada has reasonable gun control laws and no "right to bear arms". I think if people really want to, they will manage to get hold of a firearm.
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