Tragedy at Virginia Tech
This page is being updated regularly by University Relations. Please check back often for updates and additional information.
Important phone numbers
A toll-free information line has been established for parents and family: 1-800-533-1144.
- Anyone who has information related to the incidents is encouraged to go to the Blacksburg Police Department to make a statement, or call 540/231-6411.
NCR / Northern Virginia campus announcements
Updated 2:15 p.m., April 17, 2007
Today's Convocation at 2 p.m. in Blacksburg can be viewed at the Northern Virginia Center, in Room 113 or Room 323, and in the V-tel Room at WAAC, 1001 Prince Street.
Virginia Tech faculty, staff and students in the National Capital Region will gather together Wednesday, April 18th, at noon at the Northern Virginia Center, room 100, to share our collective sorrow about the tragic events of April 16th in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech in the National Capital Region will hold a public Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Old Town Market Square, City Hall, 300 King Street, Alexandria, Va., to honor victims of the tragic events of April 16 on the university’s main campus in Blacksburg.
At 8 p.m. the same evening, the National Capital Region Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association will hold a Candlelight Vigil at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Va. This non-denominational event is an opportunity for Hokies to join together and show their support for the family and friends of the victims.
A special message to all alumni of Virginia Tech
Posted noon, April 17, 2007
To our Virginia Tech alumni, I write the kind of message I never expected to have to write in my entire career serving the university ...
Read the full message from Tom Tillar, Vice President for Alumni Relations
Overflow seating for today's Convocation
Posted 11:45 a.m., April 17, 2007
Overflow seating for today's Convocation, should Cassell Coliseum be filled to capacity, is available in Lane Stadium box seats.
Board of Visitors to meet
Posted 11:40 a.m., April 17, 2007
The Board of Visitors will meet in closed session at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Merryman Center conference room.
Auditorium available to families of victims
Posted 10:55 a.m., April 17, 2007
During today's Convocation at Cassell Coliseum, the Merryman Center auditorium is being reserved for families of the victims who would to attend service in a private location.
Interpreting services at today's Convocation
Posted 10:20 a.m., April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech will provide interpreting services at today's Convocation, scheduled for 2 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum.
Classes canceled for remainder of week
Posted 9:30 a.m., April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech continues to mourn the loss of 33 members of our community. As we move forward, we share the following information:
- Virginia Tech will cancel all classes for the remainder of the week to allow students the time they need to grieve and seek assistance as needed. The university will re-open administrative operations beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18, understanding that some faculty and staff may wish to take additional time off this week to grieve the loss of fellow colleagues and friends. We ask individual employees to communicate with their supervisors of their schedules for the balance of the week.
- We will close Norris Hall for the remainder of the semester. Staff are currently working to arrange alternative locations for classrooms and faculty offices.
- Counseling and other resources are available for students, faculty, and staff. Students may receive counseling at McComas Hall and counselors will be available for extended hours. Counselors will also be available in West Ambler Johnston for residents.
- Employees may receive needed support by going to the Brush Mountain Room in Squires Student Center throughout the day.
- The university will be holding a convocation ceremony at 2 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum. This will be the first time the Virginia Tech community will come together since the tragedy to share our collective sorrow. At that time, President George Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Gov. Timothy Kaine, Mrs. Kaine, members of our Board of Visitors, members of the clergy, our students, and poet Nikki Giovanni will share messages of condolence to the family and friends of the victims and words of hope to all of us as we move forward past this tragedy.
Again, we encourage all members of the Virginia Tech community to attend. Should the coliseum be full, the event will be broadcast on campus cable stations.
The Virginia Tech community, and the world at large, continues to struggle with these horrible events. We hope these steps will help in that healing process.
Norris Hall gunman identified; ballistics match at both crime scenes
Posted 9:15 a.m., April 17, 2007
The Virginia Tech Police Department has confirmed the identification of the gunman responsible for the multiple fatalities at Norris Hall on the Virginia Tech campus Monday, April 16, 2007.
Cho Seung-Hui
The individual has been identified as Cho Seung-Hui, 23. Cho was enrolled as an undergraduate student in his senior year as an English major at Virginia Tech. Cho, a South Korean native, was in the U.S. as a resident alien with a residence established in Centerville, Va. Cho was living on campus in Harper Residence Hall.
A 9-milimeter handgun and 22-caliber handgun were recovered from Norris Hall. Ballistic tests on the evidence seized from the Norris Hall and the West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall scenes were conducted at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) lab in Maryland. Lab results confirmed that one of the two weapons seized in Norris Hall was used in both shootings.
“At this time, the evidence does not conclusively identify Cho Seung-Hui as the gunman at both locations,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “With this newfound ballistics evidence, we are now able to proceed to the next level of this complex investigation.”
State, local, and federal investigators spent the night collecting, processing, and analyzing evidence from within Norris Hall. The deceased were recovered from at least four classrooms on the second floor and a stairwell of Norris Hall. The gunman, who took his life, was discovered by police in a classroom among the victims.
All of the deceased have been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke for examination and identification.
The names of the 32 deceased students and faculty will be released once all victims are positively identified and next-of-kin notified.
The Virginia Tech Police Department, Blacksburg Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, FBI, ATF, and multiple other state and local agencies are all involved in the ongoing investigations at both Norris Hall and West Ambler Johnston Hall.
Counseling available today
Updated 8 a.m., April 17, 2007
Counseling assistance for faculty and staff today has been moved to Brush Mountain Room A in Squires Student Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Counseling assistance for for students is available at West Ambler Johnston and McComas Hall until 9 p.m.. Students are encouraged to utilize these services. Students may also gather at the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center.
Timeline of events
Posted 10 p.m., April 16, 2007
The university has released a timeline of events from Monday's tragic shootings.
Further information will be released during a news conference Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.
Blacksburg Transit service on Tuesday
Posted 4:10 p.m., April 16, 2007
On Tuesday, April 17, the Blacksburg Transit will offer a shuttle service between the Inn at Virginia Tech and university residence halls. Details:
- The shuttle will operate every hour, beginning at 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.
- Pick-up will occur at the intersection of Washington Street and Spring Road as well as the Inn at Virginia Tech.
The Inn at Virginia Tech has been designated as the location for parents to gather to ascertain information about students.
Campus remains closed; convocation Tuesday
Posted 3:45 p.m., April 16, 2007
Virginia Tech remains closed on Monday, April 16, 2007. Vehicular entrances to campus are severely restricted to essential personnel only. Additional security remains on campus as the investigation continues.
Counseling assistance is available ...
- For students at West Ambler Johnston and McComas Hall until 9 p.m. Monday night. Students are encouraged to utilize these services. Students may also gather at the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center.
- For faculty and staff in the Bowman Room on the fourth floor of Jamerson Athletic Center, accessible from Jamerson or the Merryman Athletic Facility.
The university will also be closed on Tuesday, April 17. Essential personnel are to report for work. Classes are canceled.
A public gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at Cassell Coliseum at 2 p.m. (a time change from the originally scheduled gathering).
All students are urged to contact their parents as soon as possible to let them know they are safe.
Students, faculty, and staff who may have any information related to the incident at West Ambler Johnston Hall and Norris Hall are encouraged to contact the Blacksburg Police Department to make statements in person, or by calling 540/231-6411.
Parents with concerns are asked to call the Dean of Students Office at 540/231-3787.
Individuals injured in the two shootings have been taken to area hospitals.
