Monday, April 16, 2007

Horror at Virginia Tech [David Stefanini]

This is a story no one should have to write, it is a parents worst nightmare and a students biggest fear. Today at Virginia Tech, a gunman opened fire; what would transpire over the next 2 hours would end up being the biggest mass shooting in United States history. The gunman would take the lives of 30 people, and when his life was taken 31 souls had been expired.

At first the gunman opened fire in the dorm rooms, then close to two hours later he again opened fire in a classroom full of students. Some of the students in the classroom were jumping from the windows to avoid the fire.

For more on this horrible massacre here is the Associated Press:

"A gunman opened fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech on Monday morning, killing at least 30 people in the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history, government officials told The Associated Press. The gunman was killed, bringing the death toll to 31, but it was unclear if he was shot by police or took his own life.

Students and a Virginia Tech employee said the first e-mail warning they got from the university came more than two hours after the first shots were fired—by which time the gunman had struck again. At least 26 people were injured.

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," said Virginia Tech president Charles Steger. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."

The name of the gunman was not immediately released, and investigators offered no motive for the attack. It was not clear if the gunman was a student.

The shootings spread panic and confusion on campus, with witnesses reporting students jumping out classroom windows to escape the gunfire. Students and faculty members carried out some of the wounded themselves, without waiting for ambulances to arrive. A police commando unit with flak jackets and assault rifles swarmed the campus."

It goes without saying that we should pray for the victims, their families, and the Virginia Tech family as a whole. The thoughts and prayers from the writers of this blog goes out to everyone who will be affected by this sensless carnage.

Even though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

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