Law enforcement officer confer outside a
building on the Virginia Tech University after a gunmen killed at least 32
in a shooting spree on the campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, April 16,
2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
WASHINGTON,
April 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 33 people, including the gunman, were killed in
the shooting rampage took place in Virginia Tech, university president Charles
Steger said at a press conference on Monday.
"It is now confirmed that we have 31 deaths from
Norris Hall, including the gunman .... There are two confirmed deaths from the
shooting in Ambler Johnston Dormitory," Steger said at a news conference held at
Blacksburg, Virginia where the university is located.
The identity of the gunman was not known yet because
he did not carry any ID, Steger said.
More information about the shooting accident is
expected Tuesday as investigation goes on, Steger said.
Moreover, the gunman killed himself at the shooting
rampage, university police chief Wendell Flinchum said. "The gunman took his own
life," he said.
Earlier, President George W. Bush, in a brief
statement at the White House, said he was "shocked and saddened" at the shooting
took place at the Virginia Tech.
Bush said it appeared that more than 30 people had
been killed and many more wounded in the shooting rampage and promised his
administration's full effort in investigating the shooting.
The shooting rampage is the deadliest in the campus
shooting in the U.S. history.
"Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and
learning, when that sanctuary is violated the impact is felt in every American
classroom and every American community," Bush said. "Today our nation grieves
with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech."
White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino has
said that Bush was "horrified" by the shooting.
Police officer Skip Vaughn guards the
perimeter of the Virginia Tech campus as students evacuate after a gunman
shot dozens of people on the university campus in Blacksburg, Virginia,
April 16, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
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"He
was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the
families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors
and all the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident,"
Perino said in a statement. "His thoughts and prayers are with them."
"The president believes that there is a right for
people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," the statement added.
It is not immediately known if there is any Chinese
students among the killed or wounded. U.S. media said there are a total of over
2,000 international students in the Virginia Tech and about half are from India
and China.
In addition to those killed, U.S. media said 29
others were wounded in the shooting rampage.
Moreover, the police is investigating the motive of
the gunman. It is not immediately known if the gunman is a student.
The gunman opened fire in a dormitory and a class
room at Virginia Tech University during a two-hour span, university police chief
Wendell Flinchum said.
"The university was struck today with a tragedy of
monumental proportions. There was two shootings on campus. In each case, there
were fatalities," Steger said in a statement posted on the official website of
Virginia Tech.
"The university is shocked and horrified that this
would befall our campus," he said.
The university, situated in Blacksburg, southwest
Virginia, will be closed through Tuesday and faculty and staff members were
asked to go home effective immediately after the incident.
Previously, the deadliest campus shooting in the
country took place in 1966 at the University of Texas at Austin, in which 17
people, including the gunman, were killed.
Founded in 1872, the state university has more than 25,000 full-time students. The school is best known for its engineering school and its powerhouse football team.
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