College gunman had 'ungodly' ammount of ammunition

A gunman carrying an “ungodly” amount of ammunition killed 32 people at a US university today in America’s deadliest mass shooting.

The un-named killer took his own life after murdering two victims in a hall of residence and then, two hours later, gunned down 30 people in an academic building on the campus of Virginia Tech university.

There is speculation that he may have been a disgruntled boyfriend seeking revenge after discovering his girlfriend was allegedly having an affair.

US president George Bush said: “School should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated the impact is felt in every American class and in every American community.

“Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech.”

Words of condolence came from the Queen tonight, who will travel to Virginia next month during a US state visit.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen was shocked and saddened to hear of the news of the shooting in Virginia. She will be kept informed.”

The shootings began just after noon (BST) in West Ambler Johnston Hall, a student dormitory, and then later the gunman began firing in Norris Hall, an engineering building.

Charles Steger president of the university based in Blacksburg, Virginia, told a press conference: “I want to repeat my horror and disbelief and profound sorrow at the events of today.

“People from around the world have expressed their shock and their sorrow at the endless sadness that has transpired.

“I’m really at a loss to explain or understand the carnage that has visited our campus.

“It is now confirmed that we have 31 deaths from the Norris Hall including the Gunman. Fifteen other victims are being treated at local hospitals. There are two confirmed deaths from the shooting at Ambler Johnston dormitory, in addition to the 31 at Norris Hall.

“We have not confirmed the identity of the gunman because he carried no identification on his person.”

He added they were in the process of identifying victims and their families.

Senior university staff and police chiefs faced repeated questions at the conference about when the university was “locked down” after some students questioned how the gunman was able to strike a second time.

Mr Steger added: “We locked down the building where we thought it (the shooting) had occurred and where we thought the incident had been contained.

“We had no reason to suspect any other incident was going to occur.”

The police confirmed the classes had been allowed to continue as they thought it was an “isolated” incident.