Tue
Apr 17 2007
09:00 am

Rocketsquirrel's good advice below notwithstanding, this is a big story, and for those at work who couldn't see it, here's a summary of the Virginia Tech press briefing that just concluded.

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VT President Charles Steger:

Virginia Tech will cancel all classes for the rest of the week.

VT will reopen administrative functions tomorrow, with understanding that some faculty and staff will need some time off.

Norris Hall will be closed for the remainder of the semester.

Counseling is available for students and faculty.

President Bush and poet Nikki Giovanni will speak at a convocation this afternoon.

Police Chief Wendell Flincham:

Shooter's name is Cho Seung Hui. He was 23. Permanent legal resident, immigrant from Korea. Student at VT, majoring in English, lived in a dorm.

Two weapons recovered, a 9mm handgun and a .22 caliber handgun.

Lab tests indicate one weapon was used for all shootings.

There is no evidence relating this incident to recent bomb threats.

In addition to two victims at dorm, victims were found in four classrooms and a stairwell.

Evidence so far does not rule out a second shooter or an accomplice or additional suspects. They are still investigating, but it is reasonable to assume that there was one shooter.

Other:

The chief medical examiner said it will take several days to identify victims and confirm.

Sec. or Public Safety says the Governor declared a state of emergency and is directing whatever resources are necessary to VT. Pres. Steger and authorities coordinated a prompt, professional law enforcement response involving VT police, Blacksburg Police, Montgomery Co. Sheriff's Office, VA State Police, FBI, and the ATF. He said it is very important to point out that "yesterday morning, President Steger and his staff and Police Chief Flincham made the right decisions based on the information they had available at the time."

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