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Gunman kills 30 at US university Gunman kills 30 at US university
(30 minutes later)
At least 31 people have been killed and 10 injured after a gunman went on the rampage at the campus of Virginia Tech university in Virginia, US.At least 31 people have been killed and 10 injured after a gunman went on the rampage at the campus of Virginia Tech university in Virginia, US.
Police say there were two separate shooting incidents - at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a student dormitory, and Norris Hall, an engineering building.Police say there were two separate shooting incidents - at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a student dormitory, and Norris Hall, an engineering building.
The incidents were about two hours apart. Police say they believe there was one gunman and that he is dead.The incidents were about two hours apart. Police say they believe there was one gunman and that he is dead.
It is the deadliest shooting at a US educational facility.It is the deadliest shooting at a US educational facility.
The state university in the town of Blacksburg is home to 26,000 students.The state university in the town of Blacksburg is home to 26,000 students.
Click here to see a map of Virginia Tech campus Click here to see a map of Virginia Tech campus
The shooter shot the door twice at chest level, which resulted in two holes in the door, one of which hit the podium in the front of the classroom Nikolas Macko, student Shooter tried the door E-mail witness accounts
Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum said that emergency services had received a call at 0715 (1215 GMT) alerting them to a multiple shooting at West Ambler Johnston Hall.Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum said that emergency services had received a call at 0715 (1215 GMT) alerting them to a multiple shooting at West Ambler Johnston Hall.
He said that two hours later there was a second report of shooting, this time at Norris Hall.He said that two hours later there was a second report of shooting, this time at Norris Hall.
The shooter shot the door twice at chest level, which resulted in two holes in the door, one of which hit the podium in the front of the class room and the other continued out the window Nikolas Macko, student Shooter tried the door E-mail witness accounts
Eyewitnesses locked down inside the university buildings have been using the internet to try to glean information about what is happening and many have emailed the BBC News website.Eyewitnesses locked down inside the university buildings have been using the internet to try to glean information about what is happening and many have emailed the BBC News website.
Nikolas Macko was in a mathematics class in Norris Hall when they heard a series of loud bangs in the hallway which prompted a female student sitting near the door to move to close it.Nikolas Macko was in a mathematics class in Norris Hall when they heard a series of loud bangs in the hallway which prompted a female student sitting near the door to move to close it.
WORST US SCHOOLS SHOOTINGS 1 August 1966 - Sniper Charles Whitman kills 14 people and injures dozens at University of Texas20 April 1999 - Two teenagers at Columbine High School, Colorado, kill 13 before killing themselves21 March 2005 - A teenager on an Indian reservation in Red Lake, Minnesota, kills nine In pictures: Virginia shootings Timeline: US school shootings
"She peeked out into the hallway, and saw the shooter, so she immediately closed the door. Three other students moved a table that was in front of the room - it seats approximately 40 students at capacity - and barricaded it against the door."She peeked out into the hallway, and saw the shooter, so she immediately closed the door. Three other students moved a table that was in front of the room - it seats approximately 40 students at capacity - and barricaded it against the door.
"A few seconds later, the shooter tried to open the door, but my classmates kept it well shut, as they held the table against it from floor level."A few seconds later, the shooter tried to open the door, but my classmates kept it well shut, as they held the table against it from floor level.
"The shooter shot the door twice at chest level, which resulted in two holes in the door, one of which hit the podium in the front of the class room and the other continued out the window. At this point he reloaded, shot the door again - this shot did not penetrate - and moved on to the other classrooms," Mr Macko added."The shooter shot the door twice at chest level, which resulted in two holes in the door, one of which hit the podium in the front of the class room and the other continued out the window. At this point he reloaded, shot the door again - this shot did not penetrate - and moved on to the other classrooms," Mr Macko added.
A fleet of ambulances has ferried the injured to nearby hospitals. However, rescue efforts were reportedly hampered by high winds which meant that medical helicopters could not be used.A fleet of ambulances has ferried the injured to nearby hospitals. However, rescue efforts were reportedly hampered by high winds which meant that medical helicopters could not be used.
President 'horrified'President 'horrified'
"Some of the victims were shot in a classroom," Mr Flinchum said."Some of the victims were shot in a classroom," Mr Flinchum said.
He said that police believed there had been just one shooter involved and that he was now dead at Norris Hall.He said that police believed there had been just one shooter involved and that he was now dead at Norris Hall.
They are now investigating whether he was shot by security forces or killed himself.They are now investigating whether he was shot by security forces or killed himself.
Mr Flinchum said it was unclear if the assailant was a student, but a number of the victims were.Mr Flinchum said it was unclear if the assailant was a student, but a number of the victims were.
In pictures: Virginia shootings
"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said, adding that the university was in the process of informing the next of kin of those killed."Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said, adding that the university was in the process of informing the next of kin of those killed.
The White House released a statement saying that President George W Bush was "horrified" by the incident.The White House released a statement saying that President George W Bush was "horrified" by the incident.
It is the deadliest shooting at a university or school in the US.It is the deadliest shooting at a university or school in the US.
In 1966, the day after killing his wife and mother, gunman Charles Whitman opened fire from a tower on the campus of the University of Texas killing 14 people and injuring 31 others.In 1966, the day after killing his wife and mother, gunman Charles Whitman opened fire from a tower on the campus of the University of Texas killing 14 people and injuring 31 others.
In 1999 two teenagers at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 12 fellow students and a teacher before taking their own lives.In 1999 two teenagers at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 12 fellow students and a teacher before taking their own lives.
VIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS 1. 0715, shooting reported at the dormitory building2. About two hours later a further shooting is reportedVIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS 1. 0715, shooting reported at the dormitory building2. About two hours later a further shooting is reported
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