Gunman Kills at Least 30 People at Virginia Tech

News became available today from the Associated Press that a gunman shot and killed at least 30 people this morning at the Virginia Tech Campus. At least another 21 were injured. The gunman hasn't been named, but is believed to be dead, having turned one of his 9 millimeter hand guns on himself inside Norris Hall on the campus, according to some reports.

Two separate attacks occurred this morning. The first took place at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a student dormitory while the second took place at Norris Hall, a building in the engineering department on campus. Several of the victims were students, though it's unclear what percentage of the fatalities were students or faculty. Police responded first to the attack in the dormitory around 7:15 am. About two hours later, the call reporting the shooting in Norris Hall came in.

The shooting comes just four days before the eight year anniversary of the school shootings at Columbine High School where twelve students and one teacher were shot by two classmates. Today's shooting is the worst educational facility attack in United States history.

According to BBC News, several students had been emailing their website in regard to the shootings. The campus had been closed down and those in buildings were kept their for safety. In one such case, BBC reported the following from a student, Brandon, "The scene here is just surreal. Watching the TV and looking at the web-pages, you know that all of this is happening on your campus, but you don't fully realize that it is actually happening; especially as a student."

The university evacuated students and is in the process of contacting the next of kin for those who were fatally struck by the gunman. This is the second time in a year that Virginia Tech's campus has been shut down due to gun-related violence. In August of 2006 an escaped inmate was caught near the campus after having shot and killed at least two people at a nearby hospital.

Charles Steger, the university's president described today's events. "Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions."