Virginia Tech campus shooting

Student Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year old South Korean national and permanent U.S. resident was responsible for killing 33 students and faculty (including himself) on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was a senior majoring in English literature.

The shooting began about 7:15 in the morning when Cho entered the fourth floor of West Ambler Johnston, a high-rise coed dormitory and killed two people. Reports suggest that he was quarrelling with his girlfriend, whom he believed had been seeing another man. (Correction: reports show that he did not have a girlfriend.) A resident assistant, Ryan Clark, was called to sort out the argument. Cho then produced a gun and shot them dead.

The shooting event was not known by the rest of the campus until a mass e-mail was sent out at 9:26. The e-mail reads:

"A shooting incident occurred at West Amber Johnston earlier this morning. Police are on the scene and are investigating. The university community is urged to be cautious and are asked to contact Virginia Tech police if you observe anything suspicious or with information on the case."

Approximately 19 minutes later, Cho entered Norris Hall, the university's engineering building and began firing indiscriminately into the classrooms. A further e-mail was sent out warning students that a gunman was on the loose. It read:

"A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows."

After entering Norris Hall, Cho proceeded to chain the doors to prevent entry and escape. Then he went from classroom to classroom injuring and killing students and faculty. Another 30 people were killed and dozens injured from gunshot wounds or broken bones. The dead were found in at least four classrooms as well as a stairwell.

Cho took his own life by shooting himself in the head before police confronted him.

He was carrying two handguns (Glock 9mm and .22 caliber) and several clips of ammo. Ballistics showed that one of the guns was used at both buildings.

Twelve students remain hospitalised in stable condition on Tuesday, officials said.

Photo of Cho Seung-Hui, the gunman

How did he buy the guns?

According to law enforcement officials, Cho bought his first gun, a Glock 9mm on March 13, and his second weapon, a .22 caliber handgun within the last week. Both guns were purchased in Virginia.

Under Virginia law, state residents can only buy one handgun in any 30 day period, suggesting Cho bought his second weapon after April 13, or sometime over the weekend.

Names of the victims (released by collegiatetimes.com as of today)

Maxine Turner, Chemical Engineering student

Henry Lee, Computer Engineering student

Matt La Porte, University Studies student

Jamie Bishop, Foreign Language lecturer

G.V. Loganathan, Civil and Environmental Engineering professor

Juan Ortiz, Civil Engineering student

Jarrett Lane, Civil Engineering student

Ryan Clark, Biology, English & Psychology student

Leslie Sherman, History and International Studies

Caitlin Hammaren, International Studies and French

Liviu Librescu, Engineering Science & Mechanics professor

Kevin Granata, Professor, Engineering Science & Mechanics

Reema Samaha, student

Emily Hilscher, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Equine Science (picture below)

Photos of the victims are available on The Sun Online web site.

Another detailed listing - BBC News

CNN has a video that was shot by a student with a cellphone. He does not specifically have pictures of the shooter but you can hear the shots and chaos.

Reuters - List of major shootings inside schools or universities

Google News Wire