Shooting at Virginia Tech
UPDATE | 1:09 PM ET Now that we've reached what seems like a plateau, we're going to try and review the official account of this unfathomable story so far.
At least 20 people were killed today at Virginia Tech in two shootings by a gunmen who is also dead.
The first attack was at a dormitory at 7:15 a.m. Eastern time. One person was killed. About two hours later, at least 19 people were killed at Norris Hall, a school building on the other end of the campus. "Some" were killed in a classroom, said W.R. Flinchum, the college's police chief.
Altogether, the at least 20 fatalities cited in a "ballpark" figure by a university official adds up to the deadliest day at a school in United States history. The A.P. recounts the history of school violence:
Up until Monday, the deadliest campus shooting in U.S. history took place in 1966 at the University of Texas, where Charles Whitman climbed to the 28th-floor observation deck of a clock tower and opened fire. He killed 16 people before he was gunned down by police. In the Columbine High bloodbath near Littleton, Colo., in 1999, two teenagers killed 12 fellow students and a teacher before taking their own lives.
Obviously, expect loads of coverage as the day goes on, including frequent updates to the article leading our front page.
UPDATE | 12:43 PM ET The Virginia Tech news conference was just broadcast on CNN. New developments:
- "The shooter at Norris Hall is deceased," an official confirmed, saying that he was the only gunmen.
- "Today the university was struck with a tragedy of monumental proportions," its president said.
- CNN has posted video from a student's cellphone with gunshots cracking in front of Norris Hall.
UPDATE | 12:32 PM ET The university's police chief has put the death toll at a shocking 20 people, according to The Associated Press. He also said the campus was now secure.
UPDATE | 11:51 AM ETEarly reports of two shootings on opposite sides of Virginia Tech's campus in Blacksburg, Va., say that at least one person died and between seven and nine were wounded, according to officials quoted by The Associated Press.
One suspect was reportedly arrested, according to CNN's broadcast. In the meantime, students have been ordered to remain where they are.
A news conference is scheduled for noon Eastern time, CNN said.
It was the second shutdown of the campus in a year due to violence. On Aug. 22, 2006, a convict escaped from jail "and killed a deputy sheriff and a security guard before the police caught him in the woods'' near the university, The Times reported at the time.
The Times is chasing this, along with The Roanoke Times, which is updating developments in a news log next to a map. Also, local television station WDBJ has video and some updates on their Web site. Stay tuned.

