I can't stand this. Every day it seems like these days, someones injured or killed in a school shooting, today 5 people were killed, and if VT is any example of what we face in the future of our public schools, then it will get very much worse before it, if it does, get better.
A former student dressed in black opened fire with a shotgun and two handguns from the stage of a Northern Illinois University lecture hall Thursday, killing five students and wounding more than a dozen others before taking his own life.
University President John Peters said there were a total of 22 casualties in what he described as a "rapid fire" attack that sent terrified students running for cover.
The gunman shot himself on the stage after a rampage that lasted no more than a few minutes.
The slain included four females and two males, including the killer, Peters said.
Four, including the gunman, died at the scene, and two died at the hospital, Peters said.
As of Thursday night, six patients in ctirical condition at Kishwaukee Community Hospital were transferred to other area hospitals, three were admitted and eight were discharged, according to the hospital's Web site.
Peters said the gunman was a Spring 2007 graduate student in sociology at NIU, but was not currently enrolled.
Ugh. I don't know what's more disgusting, the fact that one of my friends thought it was awesome, or the fact that this man had absolutely no regard for human life just to make a lasting final statement. I guess we can breath a sigh of relief, he won't be around to do anymore damage to the community, but with 10 people dead and 4 others injured, I'd have to say the damage is already done.
The killer has been identified as Robert A. Hawkins, age 19 or 20, who left a suicide note stating, "I'm going out in style" and "I'm going to be famous." The man's vehicle was reportedly found in the parking lot.
Hawkins' mother brought the note to the local sheriff's office. She was being questioned by investigators Wednesday night.
Sgt. Teresa Negron said the gunman killed eight people, then apparently killed himself. Authorities gave no motive for the attack and did not know whether he said anything during the rampage.
Friends described Hawkins as "depressed" and said he had quit school several years ago and worked at a series of fast food jobs. He was arrested last month on misdemeanor charges and was expected to appear in court this month.
Officials said Hawkins, clad in military-style clothing, entered the mall just before 2 p.m. Wednesday and began firing off rounds. The rampage sent shoppers and employees running and screaming through the Westroads Mall, barricading themselves in dressing rooms after hearing gunfire. Hawkins was found dead on the third floor of the Von Maur store with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his victims were discovered on the second and third floors, police said.
(Red Text is from Fox News)
