Spring Break
Gunman kills 32 in massacre at Virginia Tech
by Sue Lindsey, the Associated Press
News | 4/17/07
Posted online at 10:27 PM EST on 4/16/07
/ Last updated at 6:07 AM EST on 4/16/07
BLACKSBURG, Va.-A gunman killed 32 people at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history Monday, cutting down his victims in two attacks two hours apart before the university could grasp what was happening. The bloodbath ended with the gunman committing suicide, bringing the death toll to 33 and stamping the campus in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains with unspeakable tragedy, perhaps forever.
Investigators gave no motive for the attack. The gunman's name was not immediately released, and it was not known if he was a student.
"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."
After gathering around their television sets early in the afternoon to take in the breaking news, Brandeis students reacted to the shooting with shock and concern. Some said they still felt safe at Brandeis.
"It's really sad. It definitely hits close to home," Emily Kadar '08 said. "You're going about your ordinary life and something like this could happen."
Leah Schone '07 said, "You want to say it would never happen at Brandeis, but how safe are you?"
Becky Sniderman '10 said: "When I first heard about [the shootings], I guess I was scared, because when I think of school shootings, I think of high schools."
Plans are already underway for a program that will give Brandeis students an outlet to share their thoughts, grieve and seek comfort after yesterday's events.
Dorit Ingber '07, the student spearheading the program, said she wanted to transform her initial feelings of "utter shock and disbelief" into something that could help students cope with the tragedy in Virginia. Encouraged by Student Life administrators, she has reached out to the chaplaincy, and an event is likely to take place before the end of the week, she said.
Alwina Bennett, the assistant dean of student life, said Brandeis has "substantial" plans in place to respond to crises like the one in Virgina. But, she added, "nobody can ever plan for anything. None of us would have imagined this would happen."
Investigators gave no motive for the attack. The gunman's name was not immediately released, and it was not known if he was a student.
"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."
After gathering around their television sets early in the afternoon to take in the breaking news, Brandeis students reacted to the shooting with shock and concern. Some said they still felt safe at Brandeis.
"It's really sad. It definitely hits close to home," Emily Kadar '08 said. "You're going about your ordinary life and something like this could happen."
Leah Schone '07 said, "You want to say it would never happen at Brandeis, but how safe are you?"
Becky Sniderman '10 said: "When I first heard about [the shootings], I guess I was scared, because when I think of school shootings, I think of high schools."
Plans are already underway for a program that will give Brandeis students an outlet to share their thoughts, grieve and seek comfort after yesterday's events.
Dorit Ingber '07, the student spearheading the program, said she wanted to transform her initial feelings of "utter shock and disbelief" into something that could help students cope with the tragedy in Virginia. Encouraged by Student Life administrators, she has reached out to the chaplaincy, and an event is likely to take place before the end of the week, she said.
Alwina Bennett, the assistant dean of student life, said Brandeis has "substantial" plans in place to respond to crises like the one in Virgina. But, she added, "nobody can ever plan for anything. None of us would have imagined this would happen."
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