BLACKSBURG — 2007 · Major Tragedy
The Virginia Tech Massacre
On the morning of 16 April 2007, at Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus, a 23-year-old undergraduate first killed two people in the West Ambler Johnston dormitory. About two hours later he went to Norris Hall, a classroom building, chained the main doors shut and fired into four classrooms, killing 30 more. As police entered, he took his own life. Thirty-two people were killed and 17 wounded by gunfire; six more were hurt jumping from windows. The deadliest mass shooting in US history at the time, it prompted wide debate about gun laws, gaps in the mental-health system, the university's delay in warning the campus after the first attack, and the media's airing of the gunman's material.
- Date
- 2007
- Place
- Virginia, USA, Blacksburg, US
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 37.2290, -80.4230 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 16 April 2007, 7:15 a.m.Two people were killed in the first attack in a dormitory.
- 16 April 2007, 9:40 a.m.Thirty were killed at Norris Hall; the gunman killed himself.
- 18 April 2007NBC's broadcast of material sent by the gunman caused controversy.
- August 2007The state review panel published its report.
Sources
- CNN — Killer's manifesto: 'You forced me into a corner' cnn.com ↗
- ABC News — Va. Tech killer ruled mentally ill by court abcnews.go.com ↗
- The Guardian — Families rebuke NBC for broadcast of killer's rant theguardian.com ↗
- CNN
- NBC News
- The Guardian
- ABC News
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.