Shooting time lline
Associated PressPublished April 17, 2007
7:15 a.m.
The first crackle of gunfire is heard on the campus of Virginia Tech.
8 a.m.
Classes on the Blacksburg, Va., campus go ahead as scheduled.
9:26 a.m.
In a mass e-mail, Virginia Tech officials announce a shooting has occurred at a dorm, say police are on the scene and urge everyone in the university community to "be cautious" and contact police if they see anything suspicious or have information on the case.
9:45 a.m.
Police believe the shooting at Norris Hall, an engineering building nearly a half-mile away from the dorm, begins.
9:55 a.m.
The college sends out a second e-mail. "Please stay put," it warns. "A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows."
10:17 a.m.
The college sends out a third e-mail, announcing classes are canceled and repeating the warning for everyone to lock their doors and stay away from windows.
10:53 a.m.
The college announces the end of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history in a fourth e-mail. It began with the subject "Second Shooting Reported; Police have one gunman in custody."
Associated Press