« From Marines to Al Jazeera: Correspondent speaks | Today | Pope visit: Thousands await outside White House »

April 16, 2008

Virginia Tech massacre: The impact one year later

AP photo / Don Petersen
A mourner sits in front of the entrance to Norris Hall, where gunman Seung-Hui Cho went on a shooting spree a year ago today, before a memorial ceremony for the victims of the massacre on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

One year ago today, the early-morning calm of Virginia Tech's bucolic campus was shattered by a gunman who killed 32 people.

Among his victims: Rhode Islander Daniel O'Neil, 22, of Lincoln.

Yesterday, his father spoke to The Journal for the first time. William F. O'Neil says he takes some solace that the tragedy led colleges and universities across the country to enact safety rules and programs for their campuses.

“Every college in the country is safer today than it was a year ago,” O'Neil said

Since then, many campuses have taken steps, including those in Rhode Island. They include text alerts on cell phones, emergency sirens and "blue-light" emergency phones.

Today, Virginia Tech will mark the tragedy's anniversary when parents, faculty and students will participate in a memorial service. Live video coverage will start at 10:30 a.m.

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 9:50 AM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)