Remembering April 16 five years later
April 16, 2012
The Hokie community gathered on the Drillfield for a candlelight vigil to remember the 32 Hokies killed in the April 16, 2007, shootings. Listen to audio from the vigil while viewing the gallery:
April 16, 2007
Around the world it's known as the "Virginia Tech massacre," but at the university itself, the shootings are referred to as simply "April 16."
The shootings, consisting of two separate attacks on April 16, 2007, left 32 people dead, plus the gunman, becoming the deadliest shooting spree in United States history.
Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year-old English major, began his rampage early Monday morning when he entered West Ambler-Johnston Hall. At 7:15 a.m., he shot Emily Hilscher, a freshman animal and poultry sciences major on the fourth floor, and then shot her resident advisor Ryan Clark, a senior biology, English and psychology major. More than two hours later at 9:40 a.m., Cho opened fire on four second-floor classrooms in Norris Hall, killing 30 students and faculty with a 9-millimeter Glock and a .22 caliber Walther P22. Cho then took his own life with a gunshot to the head. The deceased included 27 students, both undergraduate and graduate students, and five faculty members.
In the days, months and even years following the shootings, the university — as well as the nation and world — has grappled with issues involving campus security, gun control and mental illness.
Content on April 16, 2007:
Blacksburg artist spreads her wings
April 12, 2012
In remembrance of the 32 victims lost on April 16, 2007, the VTV Family Outreach Foundation will host an art exhibit on April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Hahn Horticulture Garden.
April 12, 2012
Cho's calculator to be sold online
December 30, 2011
A Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus calculator owned by Virginia Tech shooter Seung-Hui Cho has gone on sale on the crime website Supernaught.com.
November 17, 2011
The Virginia Citizens Defense League protested for concealed carry on campus while the organization Students for Gun Free Schools protested against guns on college campuses. Both groups congregated in front of Squires Student Center on November 17, 2011.
Clery Act appeal date set to Dec. 7
October 20, 2011
Virginia Tech’s appeal of its $55,000 fine for failure to issue timely warnings during the April 16, 2007, campus shootings will be heard in December.
Shootings caused PTSD, study shows
August 29, 2011
Russell T. Jones was once on an airplane with a rocket scientist who explained the plane was flying because several engines were working together and compensating for each other. He called that phenomenon “gimbling.”
Cho’s audio recordings discovered
July 3, 2011
An audio recording of the Virginia Tech shooter Seung-Hui Cho was found on Friday.
Debate over clarity of Clery Act ensues as Tech appeals fines
April 28, 2011
Virginia Tech’s appeal of Department of Education fines is stoking the raging debate over what constitutes a “timely warning.”
Cuccinelli takes on Tech’s appeal
April 28, 2011
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli questioned the methods of the Department of Education Wednesday while announcing that Virginia Tech is appealing fines resulting from the department’s investigation of the April 16, 2007, campus shootings.