Police are saying that they believe the gunman acted alone and they are not looking for additional suspects.
(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - The scene of the worst school shooting in the nation's history continues to be chaotic at this hour in Virginia, as police investigators from a number of agencies continue to investigate the tragic killing spree.
The first call about the shootings came in at 7:15 AM, the next 911 call came at 9:15 AM from Norris Hall. At 9:29 AM, the school began issuing warnings.
"They were going door to door in the area of immediate danger." That area of immediate danger accounted for roughly 900 students.
The university received bomb threats as recently as last Friday, but officials are not drawing a connection at this point.
There are many questions circulating about what is described as a slow police response. Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum, says his officers initially believed that they were dealing with an isolated incident that had taken place in a dorm.
When he was asked why students weren't alerted to the imminent danger from a man with a gun, he said, "They had reason to believe the shooter had left the campus."
But the danger hadn't left the campus, and about two hours after the first event, shots erupted from Norris Hall, across an athletic field from the dorm.
The first and second shooting incidents are not absolutely connected, says Flinchum, and are under investigation. Police are saying that they believe the gunman acted alone and they are not looking for additional suspects.
The chief did acknowledge that while he didn't witness it personally, some of the doors at Norris Hall had been chained closed from the inside, indicating that a plan may been in place to slow police response.
Police say the gunman was found dead on campus, they are unsure of his connection to Virginia Tech or if he might have been a student.
Chief Flimchum says that while it was unclear in the beginning, they are now sure that gunman did take his own life.
At least one weapon was found with the dead shooter. More details on the weapons he possessed are not being released at this time. Some media groups reported that the man carried two nine millimeter pistols.
Students received emails about the shooting
A series of email warnings for students were issued at Virginia Tech, to inform students that a gunman was loose on campus and later to tell them classes were canceled. They were also advised by email of the second incident that claimed the lives of more than two dozen students.
Sadly, many of the students failed to see the email and as a consequence, walked into the gunman's line of fire. Many are saying that the school should have closed immediately, and that they were far from prepared for this kind of a situation. That, in spite of a shooting on the campus on the first day of the school year and the recent bomb threats.
These are the emails that were sent to student from the University:
E-MAIL 1Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 9:26 AMTo: Multiple recipientsSubject: Shooting on campus.
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. Contact Virginia Tech Police at XXX - XXXX
Stay attuned to the www.vt.edu. We will post as soon as we have more information.
E-MAIL 2Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 9:50 AMTo: Multiple recipientsSubject: PLease stay put
A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows
Subject: PLease stay put
A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows
E-MAIL 3Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 10:17 AMTo: Multiple recipientsSubject: All Classes Canceled; Stay where you are
Virginia Tech has canceled all classes. Those on campus are asked to remain where there are, lock their doors and stay away from windows. Persons off campus are asked not to come to campus.
E-MAIL 4Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 10:53 AMTo: Multiple recipientsSubject: Second Shooting Reported; Police have one gunman in custody
In addition to an earlier shooting today in West Ambler Johnston, there has been a multiple shooting with multiple victims in Norris Hall.
Police and EMS are on the scene.
Police have one shooter in custody and as part of routine police procedure, they continue to search for a second shooter.
All people in university buildings are required to stay inside until further notice.
All entrances to campus are closed.
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We will bring you more in this story as the information becomes available.
See the other Salem-News.com reports on the Virginia Tech school shooting: April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Launches Memorial Website to Honor Shooting Victims (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Gunman Identified (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Victims, Gunman Names Coming Out from Massacre at Virginia TechApril 17, 2007: Memorial Fund Established in Wake of Virginia Tech MassacreApril 17, 2007: Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Virginia Tech TragedyApril 17, 2007: Massacre at Virginia Tech Leaves 33 DeadApril 16, 2007: Oregon Universities to Offer Counseling in Wake of Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: State Schools Superintendent Issues Statement on Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Death Count at Virginia Tech rises to 33 Including GunmanApril 16, 2007: Death Toll Rises to 32 in Virginia Tech Campus ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Virginia Tech Campus Shootings Leave 22 Dead; Gunman KilledApril 16, 2007: Police Report Multiple Fatalities in Virginia School Shooting
Death Count at Virginia Tech rises to 33 Including GunmanSalem-News.com