Monday, April 16, 2007

Shooting at Virginia Tech

Update III: 32 people confirmed dead (Fox News )

Updated I :22 reported Killed, 28 injured, 1 gunman killed (he shot himself), and is believed to be a single gunman. Both numbers are expected to rise. This is reported to be worse than both the University of Texas shooting and columbine.

UpdateII: MSNBC says one shooter dead. Report is now that it is the 2nd shooter that has been killed. As with any breaking news, it's going to be a day or two before we get any accurate details.

Campus website: Tuesday, there will be a university convocation/ceremony at 2 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum. The Inn at Virginia Tech has been designated as the site for parents to gather and obtain information.


I'm speechless...This is absolutely heartbreaking. I went to pharmacy school in Virgina. I need to call my therapist.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Serendip:

Like you, I am heartsick at this tragedy. I know what you mean, though, when something so horrible and tragic happens in a place you have been to and know, it is even harder to take. I think it is insane that guns are so easily accessible, and that they are used to harm so many innocent people in this country every year. With each massacre, I pray and hope for it to be the "wake-up call" the nation needs to pass gun control laws; but I guess this travesty must continue, until people realize that "the right to bear arms to protect themselves against the government" is passe, impractical, and unwarranted anymore. None of the guns that kill school children, college kids, and innocent office workers, not to mention unsuspecting family members, were ever used for protection against ANYTHING at all; they were used as an aggressive tool as opposed to a tool of defense. It is a crying shame how many times history has to repeat itself before a lesson is learned. Be good Serendip.

Gayle said...

It's heartbreaking, Serendip. As I told you in answer to your comment on my post regarding this, I am outraged about it and I'm also outraged by the way Fox News covered it. I am the parent of a college student and I can just imagine the total anguish that the parents who had students attending this school must have felt. I think they (newscasters) should have waited until they had all the facts before they covered this, and until the parents of the murdered children had been notified.

Until all parents instill moral responsibility in their children, these types of events will sadly continue to happen. I've been worried about my daughter ever since she enrolled in college. Two days after she enrolled in Phoenix I learned there were two serial killers on the loose up there. One of them has never been found! It's sad that our children are no longer safe in America, and probably never will be again.

Gayle said...

PS: I just read the comment above mine. Gun control laws take guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. It does not stop madmen or criminals because they don't pay any attention to laws. That is not a solution, but I know that many people will be hollering for more gun control. I live in the country where I need my guns, mainly rifles, for self-protection. If someone were to try to enter my home it would take the police a half hour to get to me. That could easily be too late. Taking away my right to protect myself from criminals who will have guns regardless of gun control laws is not the answer.

Rita Loca said...

I agree with Gayle. I just posted about this myself. Here where I live, guns are controlled...so why do we have 60 murders last weekend and nearly every weekend!?!?! Every criminal punk has an automatic weapon, I have a knife! Guess who wins?

Sorry, I just feel very passionate about this!

SERENDIP said...

Sorry everyone: I'm too sad to think about gun controll issues. I'm a recovering PTSD victim so things like this really bother me although, I need to stay strong. I can't help it but to think about the lives of the families of the victims that are never going to be the same...Prayers are needed. Thanks.

Here is a good discussion on the issue of gun control here:
http://neoneocon.com/

Winston said...

I had a post on this too. The govt must stop telling people what to do to be safe.

Anonymous said...

I understand and respect that Serendip. We will save that discussion for another time, though I must say, I find that we all have several things in common with Gayle, JM, and you on this post. I have kids in college and I know exactly what Gayle is talking about, and you point out the same by referring to the lives of those parents after this tragedy. Random acts of violence are hard to understand, as they defy and challenge our fundamental beliefs and common sense. I pray for those families. Sorry if my comment caused discomfort for you. Take care and be good.

Rita Loca said...

I am praying for you and all the families as well. it is hard when you know what this all means on a human level.

SERENDIP said...

Thank you jungle mom. Be safe. Now you know why I'm a worry wart...LOL

Plateau said...

Very sad day indeed. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends.