Just got in, and this is awful:

“April 16, 2007‚Äî At least 29 people are dead in what may be the biggest mass shooting in modern American history ‚Äî and the death toll may rise.Police at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, Va., said that the shootings happened at a dormitory and a classroom on opposite sides of the university campus.

Law enforcement sources tell ABC News an off-campus incident may have sparked the shooting, but details were unclear.

Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said that one person was killed in the first shooting, which occurred just after 7 a.m. at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a large dormitory. Flinchum said that at least 20 more people were killed at Norris Hall, an academic building. At least 17 injured students were admitted to a local hospital — all of them being treated for gunshot wounds.

“The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions,” said university president Charles Steger. “The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus.”

Drudge has headlines on the story. 32 Dead, and 17 wounded. Hot Air with a huge round up to include the predictable MSM take on “gun control”. Left wing blogs are already talking that note. Yeah, like magazines load themselves, and rifles point themselves. Once again you can look to the left to make a political point out of someone else’s pain.

Perhaps they should have allowed students to be able to defend themselves.

Virginia bloggers with updates here. Michelle Malkin with more points of coverage.

Not much to ad to the shock and sadness right now. But found this on YouTube and it shows the real spirit behind the kids of VT. Life – hard as it will be, will go on.

Here’s to the kids of Va Tech!

UPDATE I: Dan Riehl has an email describing the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Apparently the shooter caught his girlfriend in bed with another – killed them both – and then went on a rampage.

Allah Pundit questions, ” That doesn‚Äôt make sense, though; how often do crimes of passion turn into spree killings?”

Happens AP. In 13 years of law enforcement I can’t tell you how many times. In many cases in a such a crime the shooter will kill “proximity victims”, or those who are in the way while they exit the scene.

See here, and here

UPDATE II: Hate to give this a link, but former Plame Game Fling Larry Johnson shows how morally bankrupt the rabid left can get by comparing this tragedy to Iraq.

“The next time you hear Dick Cheney or George Bush blame the public attitude regarding Iraq on the media’s failure to report “good news”, examine carefully our reaction to the shooting at Viginia Tech. Look at our collective shock. Our horrified reaction. The public sorrow. Yet, in truth, this is an exceptional, unusual day in America. It is not our common experience. But we cannot say the same about Iraq.”

In a word – “Ass Wipe”.

Opps, two words, sue me.

UPDATE III: Sample emails from a VT student detailing events as sent in to local Radio Show:

9:29
A shooting incident occurred at West Ambler Johnston earlier this morning. Police are on the scene and are investigating.

The university community is urged to be cautious and are asked to contact Virginia Tech Police if you observe anything suspicious or with information on the case. Contact Virginia Tech Police at 231-6411

Stay attuned to the www.vt.edu. We will post as soon as we have more information.

10:16
Virginia Tech has canceled all classes. Those on campus are asked to remain where there are, lock their doors and stay away from windows. Persons off campus are asked not to come to campus.

10:52
In addition to an earlier shooting today in West Ambler Johnston, there has been a multiple shooting with multiple victims in Norris Hall.

Police and EMS are on the scene.

Police have one shooter in custody and as part of routine police procedure, they continue to search for a second shooter.

All people in university buildings are required to stay inside until further notice.

All entrances to campus are closed.

1:15
Dear Residents:

We have been given clearance to open dining halls and resume operations. We ask that students limit their movement about the University as police and emergency crews continue their tasks.

Counseling services for Ambler Johnston residents will be available in the 3rd floor cross-over lounge until 9 p.m. to night and for the general campus community at McComas Hall until 9 p.m.

Have to wait and see more if the college really screwed up. Not enough information at this time. Meanwhile all three nutworks are playing the “gun control” angle. Pathetic. How long before these morons find out that if you outlaw guns then only outlaws will own guns. Like never.

Yet even more pathetic and even abusive, nobody has the whole story and yet Brian Williams has a wounded kid (shot through the arm) talking to him about the incident.

Hello? Critical Incident Stress Management Debriefing anyone. This is my area of specialty, and there is no way that kid should have been interviewed regardless of whether or not he “looked Ok”.

Cripes the kid is still shaking and Williams is asking him to recount his experience.

Wizbang is starting an thread on the aftermath.

UPDATE IV: Lot’s a reporting on this is absymal at this point. AJ runs a theory on the subject of premediation. I’ll take that MO for one of the shooters, as ABC is now reporting that authorities think that there is a another suspect involved, more correctly “a person of interest” who may have known the girl friend killed in the first shooting. (added) The suspect was said to be wearing a red hat and a military style vest. Army used to issue a red beret for elite units, and it’s still used around the world for that purpose as well.

Don’t be surprised if this turns out to be on another level entirely.

Before you hit the rack tonight, send one up for the kids and especially for the parents. As the father of a 30 year old and a Grandpa my heart is aching right now for the grief that they must feel.

May the God of all mercy and comfort do so now in their hour.