NPR: Shock and Horror

Shock and Horror

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Injured occupants are carried out of Norris Hall at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Monday, April 16, 2007. A gunman opened fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech on Monday morning.

Credit: Associated Press

The weather on the East Coast is blustery and miserable today. Folks along the I-95 corridor woke to the dreary remains of a terrible nor'easter. Just when we thought the day could not get any bleaker, the news from Virginia comes in.

There are almost no words to describe the horror at Virginia Tech this morning. We won't even try. Scores are dead after a gunman opened fire on campus -- it is the deadliest campus shooting in the U.S. yet. And the fact that we can compare campus shootings is such a depressing, crushing truth.

We had some good plans for launching our podcast this week, but I think we may set some of those aside to talk about what happened today. One of the stories we planned to bring you -- the one about church in nightclubs -- will definitely be postponed. NPR Producer Amy Walters was going to talk to us about it, but she's been dispatched to Blacksburg, Va. to help with reporting there.

Right now we're digesting what has happened. The reported numbers of dead have steadily been rising throughout the day. We're online, listening to the radio and watching TV, just like the rest of you.

We're going to spend some time talking about this over the next few days. We want to know what you're thinking. Leave a comment or Contact Us through email.

More later...stay tuned...

Matt Martinez

2:21 PM ET | 04-16-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I work at a college, and this was really quite frightening when I first found out about it. A co-worker put it best when she said, "A college is almost like a public park." But I believe that this shooter, or shooters, had very specific bones to pick with VT. But it is very much a shame. I know from inside experience though, the second guessing is brutal, but those university administrators did the best they could with the given information today.

Sent by Laura | 8:43 PM ET | 04-16-2007

I must confess I was watching CNN tonight; it reminded me how grateful I am for public radio.

As I watching Jack Cafferty was reading e-mails for Virginia Tech students who were expressing support for their school and how safe they felt. I would enjoy hearing about these students' resilience.

Sent by Steve Petersen | 9:49 PM ET | 04-16-2007

I appreciate your respect for the situation and NPR's continued coverage.

Sent by cj | 4:37 PM ET | 04-17-2007

I'm thinking I am done hearinag about this. Some crazy student lost it and killed a bunch of people. That's it. I don't want to hear about conspiracy theories or see finger pointing or anything. I want to move on please. Thank you.

I would like to point out the number of tragedies that have happened in April: Waco, Oklahoma City, Columbine, and now this. What is it about April?

Sent by Scott K. | 1:04 AM ET | 04-19-2007

April 16 2007 was not only a non stop shooting event it was also my b-day. It was the worset day of my life I have had a lot of things happen on or near my b-day I can't name them all but there was at least 4

Sent by Stephanie | 3:09 AM ET | 08-29-2007

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