Bush "shocked, saddened" by Virginia Tech shooting

Source: Xinhuanet | 04-17-2007 08:27

President George W. Bush makes a statement about the fatal shooting at Virginia Tech University while in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington April 16, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush, in a brief statement at the White House on Monday, said he was "shocked and saddened" at the shooting took place at the Virginia Tech.

Bush said it appeared that more than 30 people had been killed and many more wounded in the shooting rampage and promised his administration's full effort in investigating the shooting.

The shooting rampage is the deadliest in the campus shooting in the U.S. history.

"Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community," Bush said. "Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech."

White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino has said that Bush was "horrified" by the shooting.

"He was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors and all the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident," Perino said in a statement. "His thoughts and prayers are with them."

"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," the statement added.

Virginia Tech authorities are expected to hold a press conference later Monday.

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech authorities and the police are investigating the identities of those killed as well as the gunman in the campus shooting rampage, a Virginia Tech spokeswoman told Xinhua earlier Monday.

It is not immediately known if there is any Chinese students among the killed or wounded. U.S. media said there are a total of over 2,000 international students in the Virginia Tech and about half are from India and China.

U.S. media reported that a total of 32 people, including the gunman, were killed and 29 others wounded in the shooting rampage. This was the deadliest shooting accident that took place in a campus in the U.S. history.

Meanwhile, CNN reported that the police is investigating the identity and the motive of the gunman. It is not immediately known if the gunman is a student.

The gunman opened fire in a dormitory and a class room at Virginia Tech University during a two-hour span, university police chief Wendell Flinchum said.

"The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. There was two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities," University President Charles W. Steger said in a statement posted on the official website of Virginia Tech.

"The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus," he said.

The university, situated in Blacksburg, southwest Virginia, will be closed through Tuesday and faculty and staff members were asked to go home effective immediately after the incident.

Previously, the deadliest campus shooting in the country took place in 1966 at the University of Texas at Austin, in which 17 people, including the gunman, were killed.

Founded in 1872, the state university has more than 25,000 full-time students. The school is best known for its engineering school and its powerhouse football team.

Editor:Du Xiaodan