Monday, April 16, 2007

Multiple Shootings at Virginia Tech


***See Updates***

This story is unfolding, but it appears there is more than one shooter involved.
A gunman is currently on the loose in Blacksburg. The campus of Virginia Tech is currently the scene of at least two separate shootings. The University and authorities are advising anyone on campus to stay in buildings until further notice.

According to university officials, the suspect in an early morning shooting is still on the loose, possibly still on campus.

The shooting happened at West Ambler Johnston hall early Monday morning. University police are reportedly on the scene and investigating. The hall houses almost 900 students, mostly freshman.

It would appear that there were two separate shooting incidents. One at around 7:30 a.m. and the other around 10:30.

According to reports, one person has been killed and it would appear there are multiple injuries.
UPDATE: Fox report here, CNN here. They're looking for a possible second shooter.

UPDATE II: ABC radio report said up to 20 people killed. Apparently a single shooter, also announced as (thankfully) dead. Now this AP report says 21 killed.
A gunman opened fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech on Monday, killing 21 people and wounding another 21 before he was killed, police said.

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," said university president Charles Steger.
UPDATE III: Fox now reports 22 dead.

I'll say this, the discrepancy better not be a matter of factoring in the shooter among the killed.

UPDATE IV: Sure enough, it is:
At least one person was killed at West Ambler Johnston, a residence hall, but several others were injured in that shooting. At least 20 were killed at Norris Hall, an engineering building. The dead shooter puts the death toll so far at 22.
UPDATE V: A running report from the Roanoke Times. Eyewitness reports here.

UPDATE VI: ABC reports up to 29 confirmed dead, now the worst campus shooting in U.S. history. Statement from Virginia Tech president.

UPDATE VII: At 1:50 ET, an ABC radio news reporter said the shooter was among the victims, and failed to rephrase it. Ugh. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt since this is a rapidly developing story. Still, I'm sensing the media and political angle on this will be all about gun control, naturally.

UPDATE: VIII: The inevitable spin has begun. The Brady folks weigh in, via NewsBusters. NRO's Media Blog also checks in. Riehl World View on the media.

Others: Hot Air, Captain's Quarters, Mary Katherine Ham, Sister Toldjah, Ed Driscoll.com, A Blog For All, Aces of Spades, The Broken Chair, snapped shot, Instapundit, The Sandbox, Sensible Mom, Confederate Yankee, Michelle Malkin, Pat Dollard, Strata-Sphere, Pajamas Media, Atlas Shrugs, Riehl World View, Sweetness & Light, Weasel Zippers, Gateway Pundit, Flopping Aces, Texas Rainmaker, Blue Crab Boulevard.

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