32 individuals lost their lives, and 15 were injured in the worst mass shooting rampage ever in the U.S.
(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - To our Virginia Tech alumni, I write the kind of message I never expected to have to write in my entire career serving the university.
On Monday, the 16th of April, a campus resident senior student shot two students in Ambler Johnston residence hall and proceeded shortly thereafter to the other side of the Drillfield, entered Norris Hall and randomly shot more than 40 students and faculty in several classrooms.
He then turned his gun on himself and took his own life.
As I write this, 32 students and faculty who were among his victims have died. Others remain hospitalized. An ongoing investigation will answer so many facts and questions still unknown at this time.
This is the most horrific scene in the history of this or any university. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Our hearts go out to the friends, classmates and others who witnessed this tragedy.
A Memorial Convocation is scheduled today (Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 PM Eastern Time) and will be nationally televised. President and Mrs. George W. Bush are expected to attend, along with Virginia Governor and Mrs. Tim Kaine and other dignitaries.
This is a shocking crime with crime scenes that have attracted national and international press, all broadcasting their live news shows from the Holtzman Alumni Center.
President Charles Steger, himself an alumnus, has personally expressed with utmost compassion his condolences to the families who have been notified and are still being notified. His leadership through this tragedy has been extraordinary.
All of us at the university wish to demonstrate our compassion especially to our students who have experienced a kind of horror and tragedy that hopefully they never will again. We share in their deepest sorrow and grief.
Other universities and institutions across the country, and indeed around the world, have communicated with us to express their shock and sympathy.
Many of our alumni have communicated with us and also with each other to share expressions of support as well as their personal grief.
I am confident that Virginia Tech will heal from this in whatever time it may take, and will do so because of its strong support from a family of caring alumni numbering over 200,000, including our current students and all their families.
The faculty, staff and entire surrounding community are committed to helping our students and faculty recover from this terrible, terrible event. Those who will follow them will continue to embrace the true meaning of our motto “That I May Serve,” that bonds the entire Hokie Nation.
The Alumni Association placed a single wreath in the Campus Chapel within hours of the tragedy, and the Corps of Cadets has posted an honor guard with it to symbolize a university honoring those it has lost so tragically.
It is but one symbol of the enormous grief that an entire campus and family of alumni around the world must bear.
Many have asked how they may send financial memorials.
Any memorial gifts, payable to the “Virginia Tech Foundation,” designated specifically for the “Virginia Tech Family Fund,” should be mailed to University Development, 902 Prices Fork Road (0336), Blacksburg, VA 24061.
Thank you for your genuine concern and expressions of support for all of us at the university. And please keep those who lost their lives and their grieving families in your thoughts and prayers.Tom TillarVice President for Alumni Relations
April 16th, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.
To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.
The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:Grief counselingMemorialsCommunication expensesComfort expensesIncidental needs
In the wake of this tragedy, we are confident that Hokie Spirit will only grow stronger and more resilient. We thank you for your continued support.
To donate visit: www.vt.edu/tragedy/memorial_fund.php Victims
This only includes victims which have so far been specifically cited in the media.
First Shooting, West Ambler Johnston Hall Dormitory:
Emily J. Hilscher, 18, a freshman from Woodville in Rappahannock County, Virginia, who was ID'd by other students as the murderer's ex-girlfriend.
Ryan C. Clark, 22, a senior from Augusta, Georgia. A resident adviser at the West Ambler Johnston Hall Dormitory, he was killed in the dormitory as he rushed over to investigate what was going on when he came upon the gunman, according to a student who lives on the fourth floor, where the first shootings took place.
Second Shooting, Norris Hall Engineering Building:
Henry Lee, a freshman in Computer Engineering; Maxine Turner, a senior in Chemical Engineering; Matt La Porte, a freshman; Juan Ortiz, a graduate student; Jarrett Lane, a senior; Leslie Sherman, a sophomore; Caitlin Hammaren, a sophomore; Reema Samaha, a freshman; Ross Alameddine, a student from Saugus, Massachusetts; Mary Read, a freshman; Instructor Christopher J. Bishop, killed while teaching a German class; Professor G. V. Loganathan; Professor Liviu Librescu, killed while holding off the gunman so his students could escape; Professor Kevin Granata.
See the other Salem-News.com reports on the Virginia Tech school shooting: April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Launches Memorial Website to Honor Shooting Victims (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Gunman Identified (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Victims, Gunman Names Coming Out from Massacre at Virginia TechApril 17, 2007: Memorial Fund Established in Wake of Virginia Tech MassacreApril 17, 2007: Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Virginia Tech TragedyApril 17, 2007: Massacre at Virginia Tech Leaves 33 DeadApril 16, 2007: Oregon Universities to Offer Counseling in Wake of Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: State Schools Superintendent Issues Statement on Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Death Count at Virginia Tech rises to 33 Including GunmanApril 16, 2007: Death Toll Rises to 32 in Virginia Tech Campus ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Virginia Tech Campus Shootings Leave 22 Dead; Gunman KilledApril 16, 2007: Police Report Multiple Fatalities in Virginia School Shooting
Memorial Fund Established in Wake of Virginia Tech MassacreSalem-News.com