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Post by Harry on Apr 16, 2007 16:57:59 GMT
Deadly shooting at US university
At least 20 people have been killed and more injured after a gunman went on the rampage at the campus of Virginia Tech university in Virginia, US.
Police say there were two separate shooting incidents - one at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a student dormitory, and Norris Hall, an engineering building.
The incidents were about two hours apart. Police say that the gunman at Norris Hall is dead.
The state university in the town of Blacksburg is home to 26,000 students.
"We have a ballpark figure on fatalities. It's at least 20 fatalities," Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum said.
Mr Flinchum said it was unclear if the assailant was a student, but said that a number of the victims were.
"Some of the victims were shot in a classroom," he said.
"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said, adding that the university was in the process of informing the next of kin of those killed.
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Post by Harry on Apr 16, 2007 16:58:47 GMT
Heartfelt sympathies to all those who have lost their life  |
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Louisiana Lady
Junior Member
The light of a new day can clear away the shadows of yesterday
Posts: 98
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Post by Louisiana Lady on Apr 16, 2007 18:20:38 GMT
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Post by Jim on Apr 16, 2007 23:09:56 GMT
bloody shockin' man. this seems to happen way too often in america.
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Post by Wasp on Apr 16, 2007 23:29:27 GMT
What a terrible and shocking crime. My heart goes out to all the victims. Unbelievable.
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Post by ulster2016 on Apr 17, 2007 0:13:26 GMT
I as a UNIONIST and a sufferer of many attrocities,I feel I can extend my genuine condolences to the families involved in this outrage.
USA and Northern Ireland grieve the loss of the fallen.
SHAME on TERROR and the criminals involved
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Post by Blue Angel on Apr 17, 2007 10:45:02 GMT
i don't even know if gun control is the issue as canada has similar gun laws yet the murder rate is far lower even when you allow for the vastly differing population levels. Gun laws were fairly lax in the UK up until the 1920s even and again the murder rate was never proportiantely anywhere near the current American one. But yes the easy availability of guns in many states does not help, you can wander out and buy all sorts of things with minimal proof including weapons that no average householder could ever justifiably claim a need to own. At the same time I actually understand the reasoning of citizens been allowed to bear arms but feel thar organsiations like the NRA etc. use that in a particularly simplistic way.
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Post by earl on Apr 17, 2007 10:56:58 GMT
My heart bleeds for those families.
I heard on the news that since the Columbine massacre, the US government has taken no steps whatsoever to try and reduce the risk of such incidents. Something tells me that it won't be the last time we are hearing such disturbing news if nothing is done.
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Post by Blue Angel on Apr 17, 2007 11:07:54 GMT
mentioing columbine which is of course the most notorious of these incidents i was disturbed to see this while trying to find links to a very old RPG game the other day:- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_rpg |
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Louisiana Lady
Junior Member
The light of a new day can clear away the shadows of yesterday
Posts: 98
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Post by Louisiana Lady on Apr 17, 2007 16:54:30 GMT
i don't even know if gun control is the issue as canada has similar gun laws yet the murder rate is far lower even when you allow for the vastly differing population levels. Gun laws were fairly lax in the UK up until the 1920s even and again the murder rate was never proportiantely anywhere near the current American one. But yes the easy availability of guns in many states does not help, you can wander out and buy all sorts of things with minimal proof including weapons that no average householder could ever justifiably claim a need to own. At the same time I actually understand the reasoning of citizens been allowed to bear arms but feel thar organsiations like the NRA etc. use that in a particularly simplistic way. It was reported today that the shooter purchased the gun only last week, which shows he was planning his crime far in advance. He selected one that could be quickly reloaded so that he couldn't be rushed by his victims while he took the time to reload. As for the gun laws, background checks are required in many instances, but how could a background check ever reveal the unthinkable intentions of such a person? |
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Louisiana Lady
Junior Member
The light of a new day can clear away the shadows of yesterday
Posts: 98
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Post by Louisiana Lady on Apr 17, 2007 17:04:28 GMT
My heart bleeds for those families. I heard on the news that since the Columbine massacre, the US government has taken no steps whatsoever to try and reduce the risk of such incidents. Something tells me that it won't be the last time we are hearing such disturbing news if nothing is done. Earl, there have been some steps taken but apparently not enough. In signs of trouble on the smaller school campus a "Lock Down" is initiated. All doors are locked against entry to protect our children. However in the case of this shooting, there seems to be some confusion. I heard a lock down was ordered after the early shooting on campus but was later lifted, which gave the shooter access to enter buildings. Also I'm not sure if the lock down was campus wide because of the size of the school campus which is the size of a small city (26,000 students coming and going to classes). It would be much more difficult to lock down than one small school campus. Is there an answer to stopping one "crazy", unpredicable person whose goal it is to kill? The lives of the families of 32 victims is changed forever. |
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