Gunman kills 32, wounds 21 at Virginia Tech shooting before being killed

[thedrifter]

Gunman kills 32, wounds 21 at Virginia Tech shooting before being killed <br />
<br />
By Sue Lindsey <br />
ASSOCIATED PRESS <br />
<br />
9:36 a.m. April 16, 2007 <br />
<br />
BLACKSBURG, Va. – A gunman opened fire in a dorm and...

[thedrifter]

Prayers to the Families outbound!

Ellie

[rb1651]

Prayers are on the way out to all affected by this tradegy.

[drumcorpssnare]

The only solution that comes to mind, is for law-abiding citizens to arm themselves, so that they might defend themselves or others, in cases like this.
My prayers to the victims and their families.....
drumcorpssnare:usmc:

[marinegreen]

This will really give the Democrats something to want to take our guns from us.Dont let them go peeps.
Prayers go out to the familys of the victims!!

[PerXes]

This is my school. I just wish I could have been in Norris Hall when it was going down, maybe I could have stopped that bastard.

[yellowwing]

Damn this is bad. Details are confusing as hell, the news media is all over the place.

Prayers for those families and you too PerXes.

[thedrifter]

Virginia Tech Students Doomed by Gun Ban

The Cost of Hysteria Mounts

I just found out about the massacre at Virginia Tech.

The thing that makes me most angry is that the dead students were penned up like sheep for the slaughter, in a ridiculous "gun-free zone." A better phrase would be "self-defense-free zone," or maybe "danger-free zone for armed criminals."

Anyone who knew about Virginia Tech's deadly, stupid policy knew he could pick up a gun, walk into any dorm, and shoot freely until the police showed up. The amazing thing isn't that it happened; the amazing thing is that it doesn't happen once a month.

Here is what spokesman Larry Hinckman said in 2005, about Virginia Tech's ill-fated policy: "I think it's fair to say that we believe guns don't belong in the classroom. In an academic environment, we believe you should be free from fear."

I think we can see how well that policy worked out.

That quote came from a 2005 article about campus police disarming a student who had a carry permit. Too bad that student wasn't around today. Or maybe he was. Maybe he's among the dead, thanks to political correctness.

I've had to deal with stupid firearm policies. When I attended the University of Texas, my apartment lease said I couldn't have a gun in my home. Naturally, I paid no attention, keeping a Glock by the bed and going shooting whenever I felt like it. When I attended the University of Miami Law School, it was my understanding that guns were forbidden on campus. I don't know if I ever confirmed that, but I do know I didn't care. I had a gun in my glove compartment every time I parked in the law school lot.

If a nut had opened fire at my apartment complex or while I was within reach of my gun at UM, I would have had a chance of plugging him and ending a massacre. Unfortunately, there was nobody like me around at Virginia Tech this morning. No law-abiding, sane armed citizen in sight. Just a deranged criminal; the kind of person dumb policies and laws can never disarm.

We're already hearing the usual irrational, hysterical voices. "If only we had sensible gun control, this would never have happened. George Bush killed these students." In reality, gun control is what sealed their doom. This lunatic knew he could shoot until the police arrived. In a rational world, he would only have been able to shoot until a student or university employee produced a firearm.

You have to wonder how many people died before the first 911 call was placed. The beauty of privately owned guns is that they work while the cops are still across town. Government guns respond to shootings; privately owned guns prevent them.

Pray for the survivors. And pray that the public draws the right conclusion, rises up, and demands an end to reckless gun bans. The cost has already been too high; we shouldn't continue making payments.

Note: I regret posting this the same day the tragedy--no, that's the wrong word. The day the multiple murders occurred. I would have waited for a better time, but I noticed that the mainstream media, including the White House press corps, were already hammering the issue, so I thought the best thing was to go ahead and write.

Ellie

[jinelson]

The democrats will be quick to jump on the Ban all guns band wagon again. I believe that if all students were required to have fire arms that the killing would have been very minimal. Its hard to believe that our youth stands a better chance of survival in Ramadi than on a college campus here at home. Hmmmm 24 year old chinese national on a visa out of Shanghi China, are they allowed to legally purchase and posess firearms now?

Jim

[10thzodiac]

The price of freedom

Sad

[ssgtt32]

:evilgrin: I Say if you have a legal permit to carry, you should be able to, no matter where you go! (i.e. bank, grocery store, school, or were ever), you have been trained in the use of deadly force, and know when and when not to use that force! Alot of people could have been saved today!:devious:

My prayers go out to the familes that lost loved ones today!

Maurice

[davblay]

I am glad that the media hasn't blamed it on the Marine Corps for training him!

My Prayers and thought are with the families! GOD Bless them all!

[thedrifter]

Eight years after Columbine
Editorial
The New York Times

Yesterday's mass shooting at Virginia Tech - the worst in American history - is another horrifying reminder that some of the gravest dangers Americans face come from killers at home armed with guns that are frighteningly easy to obtain.

Not much is known about the gunman, who killed himself, or about his motives or how he got his weapons, so it is premature to draw too many lessons from this tragedy. But it seems a safe bet that in one way or another, this will turn out to be another instance in which an unstable or criminally minded individual had no trouble arming himself and harming defenseless people.

In the wake of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre - in which two alienated students plotted for months before killing 12 students, a teacher and themselves - public school administrators focused heavily on spotting warning signs early enough to head off tragedy.

As the investigation of the Virginia Tech shootings unfolds in coming days, it will be important to ascertain whether there were any hints of the tragedy to come and what might be done to head off such horrors in the future. Campuses are inherently open communities, and Virginia Tech has some 26,000 students using hundreds of buildings over 2,600 acres. It is not easy to guarantee a safe haven.

The investigations will also need to look into the response by the campus and local police. The initial shootings killed two students in a dormitory around 7:15 a.m., prompting a 911 call and a police response. Tragically, the police assumed that was the end of it and thought the shooter might have left the campus and even the state. Two hours later a second, more lethal round of shooting claimed some 30 lives in an engineering building across campus. If the same gunman was responsible for both incidents, the police will have to explain why they failed to intercept his second foray or did not lock down the whole campus.

Our hearts and the hearts of all Americans go out to the victims and their families. Sympathy was not enough at the time of Columbine, and eight years later it is not enough. What is needed, urgently, is stronger controls over the lethal weapons that cause such wasteful carnage and such unbearable loss.

[thedrifter]

Massacre at Virginia Tech <br />
<br />
By Natasha Altamirano <br />
THE WASHINGTON TIMES <br />
April 17, 2007 <br />
<br />
A gunman yesterday killed 30 persons in a Virginia Tech classroom building before killing himself about two...

[kentmitchell]

And the Monday morning quarterbacking is already peaking on TV and in the newspapers. Where were they when it was happening? Those kids could have used their advice then? Too late now.

[thedrifter]

VA Tech
Posted By Uncle Jimbo

Condolences to the far too many who lost someone yesterday, once again my petty grievances fade.

I hope the miserable bastard who did this burns in the old school Hell of the Bible, Dante-style.

I have not seen anything to show that the administration acted other than properly. It would have been a major stretch and not really the proper response to shut down the whole University in the hour and one half time frame they took to talk to witnesses and evaluate the first scene.

Once again, Blue skies on a black day to the families and friends.

One bright spot, and somehow it doesn't surprise me at all that he was Israeli.


Professor Liviu Librescu, 76, threw himself in front of the shooter, who had attempted to enter his classroom. The Israeli mechanics and engineering lecturer was shot to death, "but all the students lived - because of him," Virginia Tech student Asael Arad - also an Israeli - told Army Radio.

Several of Librescu's other students sent e-mails to his wife, Marlena, telling of how he blocked the gunman's way and saved their lives, said the son, Joe.

www.esm.vt.edu/php/person.php?id=10023

Ellie

[Kegler300]

http://www.drudgereport.com/vt.jpg

[yellowwing]

http://voanews.com/english/2007-04-17-voa23.cfm

Police identified the gunman as Cho Seung-hui, a 23-year-old in his final year of college. They say he was in the U.S. as a resident alien.

Police still have not confirmed that the same person was responsible for two separate killings earlier at a dormitory building on the campus, although ballistic tests show one of the guns was used in both shooting incidents. A state police official said it is reasonable to assume that Cho was the shooter in both places, but police cannot say with certainty he was.

[10thzodiac]

Assuming it was over his girlfriend it would make senseless sense. Hormones at 23 are bad sh!t.

[jennings1]

Here is what is alarming to me.....

First off I work for a large...very large company and we are on campus much like a university campus. We are so big we have our own zipcode. There is constantly security roaming around and such.

Where was security at when the doors and windows were chained shut? Did not anyone notice this guy walking around with chains to do this?

Did not anyone notice this and why? Not pointing fingers or blame as the shooter is definately to blame but come on.....this is not something that should of went unnoticed or maybe I am just to much aware of my surroundings that I think it should of been noticed.

[roninchilli]

Im the first to say what a tragedy this is, and god forbid it ever happen again. Gun control, not for it. But 26,000 students with guns. 1 class with probably 100 plus students and someone walks into a room with the gun and starts shooting. The 100 plus students return fire with their weapons. What about fields of fire? How many friendly fire deaths and injuries would occur. Where do the rounds these poorly trained marksman go? Into the hallways, out windows? Would they hesitate?
Yes there is probably the need for better warning for students. Locking down a campus with 26,000 students is nearly impossible. This is the size of a small town. People coming and going, you cant stop everyone from moving around. Not to mention college students are resistant to governmental control of their movements and freedoms. Im sure the police force for this college department isnt the largest 50+. Probably had 10 to 15 cops on duty at a time. A murder scene would require the majority of them to secure the scene. How would the administration know there would be a second incident? Notifying all 26,000 employees, employees, visitors, would be near impossible. I sleep through tornado sirens. Does every student live with a cell phone and computer attached to them? Does everyone immediately respond and answer cell phone calls? Even with hundreds of cops(vast majority from other departments) with automatic weapons storming the buildings, there were students roaming around, looking to see what was going on. Who was running into the building while everyone was trying to get out? First responders, EMTS, cops etc. Not to mention the fact these guys have to clean up the crime scene and they will have to live with the horror of the scene. No one has commended these people, everyone is looking for liability and finger pointing. The only person to blame is the guy who done this.
A shame all these kids had to be taken from their families and friends, but we live in a very violent society that is going to get worse. We live in America, home of the "free". And things are only going to get worse. Our liberties will be at a cost, gun control, freedom to move around, etc. Anyone to blame for this, CNN, FOX, the list goes on and on. Want to go down in a blaze of "glory" news will accommodate you, get the facts wrong and blame everyone else except those responsible. It sickens me to watch a "news reporter" badgering some kid about the admin being at fault. A kid told a reporter he supported the admin, and the reporter had a stupefied look on his face. He did not get the right answer, got slick and asked it again by changing the words. The kid still gave the same answer.
What could the admin do better for warning? Dont know. Human nature brings out onlookers for a fire or crime scene. They shouldn't be there ,but they go. A major smowstorm moves in, people still drive in it. Tornado sirens going off, and people are out looking for it. You can do your best to warn, but you cant forsee the future, you cant , you cant warn everyone, and will they listen and heed?
A reasonable response would be balance between the two. What could the Admin have done to spread the word , what additional security (very expensive) can be implemented without suspension of civil liberties. What caused this man to go ballistic. Was he harassed, did he fail the mid term, was he a forsaken love interest? FInd out . No matter what security or plans you have, anyone with reasonable planning can do what was done here . Its a shame, but there are those with motive, intent and capability to do it . What can be done to prevent this, only time will tell.
Once again a tragedy. My sympathy goes out to the families of the victims, and hope the wounded live a good life, without the horrific memories they have experienced.

[roninchilli]

Why didnt someone notice a guy with chains? He probably didnt walk around with them around his neck, class was in session, and people are in classes How may would have seen him. Im sure he didnt walk around for 2 hours taking his time locking the doors with chains. It was done quickly. Is there a security guard on every door, entrance, etc. How many people that see something out of the ordinary, crime, suspicious person, notify authorities anyway? Not to mention take action. Im glad to see in the above post that there was someone who tried to stand up to this guy. How many people would have done this? Im sure there was more that stood up, and hope to hear THEIR stories told in the media. Not the cowardice of the fool that caused this event.

[FistFu68]

:evilgrin: WHAT A FRIGGING WASTE FOR ALL CONCERNED :evilgrin:

[10thzodiac]

Not to make light of this tragedy, but how many people are killed by deer-vehicle collisions each year ? I believe it is over 200.

Begging your pardon, considering the above, isn't it a small price to pay for a free and and open society that has the right to bear arms ?

That is, unless you shoot me http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/12.gif

[thedrifter]

Virginia Killer's Violent Writings
Play told of pedophilic stepfather, murder of 13-year-old boy

APRIL 17--The college student responsible for yesterday's Virginia Tech slaughter was referred last year to counseling after professors became concerned about the violent nature of his writings, as evidenced in a one-act play obtained by The Smoking Gun. The play by Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old English major, was submitted last year as part of a short story writing class. Entitled "Richard McBeef," Cho's bizarre play features a 13-year-old boy who accuses his stepfather of pedophilia and murdering his father. A copy of the killer's play can be found below. The teenager talks of killing the older man and, at one point, the child's mother brandishes a chain saw at the stepfather. The play ends with the man striking the child with "a deadly blow." (10 pages)

www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0417071vtech1.html

Ellie

[PerXes]

Well first off, we don't have security guards at every door. We have campus police, but they're just like regular officers, they're not stationed all over the damn place, they patrol. Who knows why nobody saw him...he could have had the chains in a backpack or something. Plus, as far as that particular entrance to the building goes, there isn't a whole lot of room for people to be sitting around, so since classes were in session, there weren't many people outside of the classrooms to see him. Normally there are stragglers who are late, but I guess that wasn't the case on that particular day, until he got to the second floor.

[marinegreen]

No one does or will really truely know when someone is gonna go postal. We cant say lock em up or throw the canvas coat on a person who talks about death, murder, chain saw massacuring and so on. Right now I'm hearing on TV some congresswoman talking about gun control/rights, you know even if they were to take away our rights to bear arms then the next thing there gonna want to take away hunting knifes,k-bars,butterknifes cause they kill to. Its not the weapons who kill people,its people killing people by whatever means available, hell you got woman trying to run over there spouses cause they think there cheating.Death is a part of living, 95% of the time deah is violent, whether it be from Cancer, some other form of diease,automobile wrecks,hunting accidents, stabbings,shootings, & WARS........

MG