‘Our nation grieves lost loved ones’

REPRESENTING his country’s anguish, US President George W Bush last night said that he prays for comfort for those victimised by the “dark turn” of the day at Virginia Tech that turned into the nation’s deadliest shooting spree.

“Laura and I have come to Blacksburg today with hearts full of sorrow,” he said in remarks at a convocation on the campus where 33 people, including the suspected gunman, died in two separate shootings the day before. “This is a day of mourning for the Virginia Tech community and it is a day of sadness for our entire nation.”

Before flying to the tragedy-stricken university in south-western Virginia, Mr Bush also ordered flags flown at half staff and issued a written proclamation in honour of those killed and wounded.

Speaking to a sombre basketball arena, packed with students and others, many wearing orange short-sleeved Virginia Tech T-shirts, the president quoted a recent student blogging about the killings to encourage those who grieve to reach out for help.

“To all of you who are OK, I’m happy for that,” Mr Bush said, quoting the internet posting. “For those of you who are in pain or who have lost someone close to you, I’m sure you can call on any one of us and have help anytime you need it.”

He urged those angered by the killings not to be overcome by evil.

“People who have never met you are praying for you,” Mr Bush said.

Before the service, he received a briefing on the shootings and their investigation from Virginia Tech president Charles Steger. Afterward, he granted interviews to news anchors from NBC, CBS and ABC.

Mr Bush spoke on a day of raw emotion. He spoke to students who he said had just lived through the worst day of their lives.

“On this terrible day of mourning, it’s hard to imagine a time will come when life at Virginia Tech will return to normal, but such a day will come,” Mr Bush said. “When it does, you will always remember the friends and teachers who were lost, and the time you shared with them, and the lives they hoped to lead.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has sent 12 agents to Virginia Tech and the FBI has contributed some 15 agents as well for the investigation. The federal help is being co-ordinated at a command centre on the campus.

In addition to helping with the crime scene, the Department of Justice is making counsellors available to victims and their families through a special office and the Education Department is offering assistance as well.

Virginia Governor Timothy M Kaine, just back from Japan to deal with the tragedy, was travelling with Mr Bush on Air Force One to the convocation.

White House spokes-woman Dana Perino deflected any questions about Mr Bush’s view of needed changes to gun control policy, saying the time for that discussion is not now.

“We understand that there’s going to be and there has been an ongoing national discussion, conversation and debate. Of course we are going to be participants in that conversation,” she said. “Today, however, is a day that is time to focus on the families, the school, the community.”