These are the e mails sent to students as the shooting drama unfolded.
Press reports confirm that the first e mail was not sent until 9:22am
- nearly two and a half hours after the first shooting occured.
Aaron here are the alert emails.
My friend who works on campus was told when he went in at 9am.
The first email went out at 9:50am
that was when the alarm sounded on campus with loud speakers shouting
"Warning there is a shooter on Campus take shelter stay inside
stay away from windows and doors.... Repeat there is a gun man on campus
stay inside and away from windows and doors" that repeated over
the newly installed loudspeaker system for 3 hours.
here are emails that were forwarded to me and my friend asked that his
email not be on there:
Sent: Mon 2007-04-16 09:50
To: Multiple recipients
Subject: PLease stay put
A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice.
Stay away from all windows
Sent: Mon 2007-04-16 10:16
To: Multiple recipients
Subject: 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.
Sent: Mon 2007-04-16 10:52
To: Multiple recipients
Subject: 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.
Sent: Mon 2007-04-16 12:41
To: Multiple recipients
Subject: Statement by President Charles W. Steger
Shooting at Virginia Tech / Statement by President Charles W. Steger
The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions.
There were two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities.
The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus.
I want to extend my deepest, sincerest and most profound sympathies
to the families of these victims which include students There are 22
confirmed deaths.
We currently are in the process of notifying families of victims. The
Virginia Tech Police are being assisted by numerous other jurisdictions.
Crime scenes are being investigated by the FBI, University Police, and
State Police. We continue to work to identify the victims impacted by
this tragedy. I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss
over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act
The university will immediately set up counseling centers. So far centers
have been identified in Ambler Johnson and the Cook Counseling Center
to work with our campus community and families.
Here are some of the facts we know:
At about 7:15 a.m. this morning a 911 call came to the University Police
Department concerning an event in West Amber Johnston Hall. There were
multiple shooting victims. While in the process of investigating, about
two hours later the university received reports of a shooting in Norris
Hall. The police immediately responded. Victims have been transported
to various hospitals in the immediate area in the region to receive
emergency treatment.
We will proceed to contact the families of victims as identities are
available.
All classes are cancelled and the university is closed for the remainder
for the today. The university will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. but classes
will be cancelled on Tuesday. The police are currently staging the release
of people from campus buildings.
Families wishing to reunite with the students are suggested to meet
at the Inn at Virginia Tech. We are making plans for a convocation tomorrow
(Tuesday) at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to
come together to begin to deal with the tragedy.
Sent: Fri 2007-04-13 15:15 To: Multiple recipients Subject: Bomb threat
closes Torgersen, Durham, Whittemore halls April 13, 2007
Because of a bomb threat, Virginia Tech is immediately closing the
following three buildings: Torgersen, Durham, and Whittemore halls.
Classes in these three buildings are cancelled for the remainder of
the day.
The three buildings will remain closed until further notice.
Traffic will be restricted on campus roadways including the Alumni Mall.
Activities scheduled in these buildings for tonight and this weekend
will be rescheduled. Go to www.vt.edu for further information.
All faculty, staff, administrators, and graduate students who work
in Torgersen, Durham, and Whittemore halls are asked to immediately
report to the Burruss Hall Auditorium for further information.
Blacksburg Transit will also be rescheduled. Look for further information.
Sent: Sun 2007-04-15 16:01 To: Multiple recipients Subject: Engineering
Buildings to Reopen Monday To The University Community
Three university buildings, Torgersen, Durham, and Whittemore Halls,
have been closed since Friday because of a bomb threat. Police have
swept the buildings with search teams and deemed the buildings suitable
for use beginning 7 a.m. Monday, 16 April.
The university has posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to
the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in either
bomb threat incidents occurring April 2 or April 13. The university
encourages anyone with relevant information to contact the Virginia
Tech Police Department at 232-TIPS (8477) or 231-6411.
Virginia Tech Police, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies,
continue to investigate both incidents.
