|
|
 |
Shooting at American University Claims 30+
At least 32 have died in a shooting on the campus of a U.S. university, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. According to the latest reports, there was a single gunman, who is assumed to be a student at the university. His name has not been released. He is reported to be dead, although it is not known whether he was killed by police or took his own life.
The first shots were heard at 7:15 a.m. local time. Order was restored two hours later. Police have closed all entrances to the campus at this time. Classes have been canceled, and university officials say that a state of shock predominates on the campus. U.S. President George W. Bush has expressed his sympathy for the families of the victims.
Two people were killed in a standoff between a gunman and police near the Virginia university campus in August of last year. The most notorious incident involving campus shootings in the United States had been the incident at Columbine High School in Colorado, where 13 people were killed and dozens injured in April 1999. In 1966, University of Texas at Austin student Charles Whitman shot and killed 16 and injured 31 on the campus of that school.
Shootings are not a rare occurrence in American schools. Firearms are sold freely in many states and are easily accessible to young people.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
