The scene is almost incomprehensible. Students at Virginia Tech - a prestigious, academically challenging institution located in the sleeply little town of Blacksburg, Virginia was the scene this morning of the worst mass shooting in the nation's history. At this writing, at least 32 are confirmed dead and at least 21 injured. Most but not all of the dead and injured are students, and the gunman is among those dead, apparently killed by his own hand.
Some reports say the gunman chained doors before beginning the rampage to prevent students from escaping.
I cannot imagine the horror that the parents of the murdered students are going through right now as they learn that their child was gunned down in cold blood in his or her dormitory or classroom. I also cannot imagine the anguish thousands experienced today waiting to find out if their student was among those killed or injured.
In the days ahead we will no doubt learn much more about who the shooter was and what might have driven him to do the unthinkable. Family or friends of the shooter will no doubt be shown on camera saying he was a good boy who went astray. I won't buy it. Good boys don't murder 31 innocent people.
Please join me in praying for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, for the injured and their families, and for Virginia Tech officials as they help the university community come to grips with and begin to heal from this horrible crime.
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