Most updated: Multiple sources now say 32 dead, 24 injured, 1 gunman shot himself and is described as an Asian male in his 20s and is believed to be a lone gunman. Both numbers are expected to rise. This is reported to be worse than both the University of Texas shooting and columbine.
MSNBC confirms this is worst American school shooting ever. Reported that this is now the worst mass shooting in US history.
Firearms appear to be a single 9mm handgun and another is a 22-caliber (?). Also now a report that the gunman chained the door to classrooms that he was shooting in
This is what we know:
There have been at least two shootings on campus - one in Ambler Johnson Residence Hall and one in the Norris Engineering Hall. Fatalities were reported in both shootings.
The entire campus is on lockdown. All classes cancelled for both today and tomorrow. All public schools in Montgomery County were on lockdown, but that lockdown has been lifted.
A temporary triage are has been set up on campus.
A bomb threat had been made to 3 buildings on campus on Friday.
Here is more information that I've picked up from either people posting on message boards or from the police scanner and isn't necessarily confirmed:
- Ambulences are being sent from neighboring counties
- Montgomery Regional Hospital is not taking any more patients (don't know if that's related to this or not)
- Possibly two shooters on campus
- Possibly shooting into windows around campus
- I've picked up that at least one person was shot in the leg, though the way they were talking on the scanner, it sounded
- Report of another shooting in Burris Hall
-Update: CNN now reports that one person is in custody
-Ap reporting 7 or 8 casualties now. Shooter possibly cornered in Burris administration building.
-Rumor from someone in the relevant building: 2nd Shooter in Norris (where the first shooting took place). 4 people shot there.
-Reports of several injuries due to people attempting to escape.
Well this is nice, the command post is like, across the road from the building i'm in it sounds like.
Update [2007-4-16 12:37:40 by FleetAdmiralJ]: University plans on making statement at noon, reportedly to announced plans for an evacuation of campus
Update [2007-4-16 12:37:40 by FleetAdmiralJ]: CNN reports Roanoke Times reports that Library is being used as shelter for students, with "hundreds" of people inside. Also sounds like ambulences are coming as far as Roanoke now.
Update: One hospital report from MSNBC say 17 students treated for gunshot injuries. This is apparntly at Montgomery County Hosptial
Update: Evacuation will apparently include faculty, staff and students
Update: All classes have been cancelled for Tomorrow.
From Roanoke.com:
Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart said four patients injured in the Tech shootings this morning have been taken to Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.
Two more patients are on the way to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Earnhart said. One other patient already had been taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Both Carilion helicopters are grounded because of high wind conditions, he said. Ambulances are being sent from Roanoke to Blacksburg.
Wayne Pike, U.S. marshal for the Western District of Virginia, said he sent four deputy marshals to Tech to help however they could.
Pike said he has heard so far about one male suspect in the shootings. "The info we got is there is one person that is out of commission -- under arrest or otherwise -- and they are searching for other possibilities now," Pike said.
Update: MSNBC says one shooter dead. Report is now that it is the 2nd shooter that has been killed.
Well, it's time for us to evacuate here, so I'm headed home. I'll try to continue from there.
Update - I'm back home, after getting through the traffic jam that is the exit to campus. The exit I left through was being patrolled by cops from the next town, so they have everyone here. Cops were swarming all over town as well.
Update - Lockdown on public schools in Montgomery County has been lifted.