Shooting in Virginia Tech refreshes the 2007 tragedy

This past Thursday refreshed the memories of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s shooting incident that took place about four years ago, in 2007. Once again gunshots were heard in the campus. As a result of the firing, one police officer named Deriek W. Crouse lost his life and later on, another dead body was found inside the university premises. A weapon has also been recovered by the police. The police officer was 39 and had joined the Virginia Tech police department just four years ago. He is survived by his wife and five children.

This time, the security warning for the people in the campus was more effective as they were given warnings in time to move to safer places. Messages on the mobile phones and computers were sent to the students as an alarm. The shooter was not identified in the incident and was able to escape after shooting the police officer.

Authorities are greatly concerned about the repeated incidents of shooting in the same area. They are emphasizing the need to stop any such occurrence in the future.

"The department wants to do everything possible to help prevent future threats to campus safety, both in Virginia and across the country," Arne Duncan, the education secretary of U.S., said in his message.

The second body that was found in a parking area might be of the shooter himself. Its identity has not been confirmed by officials yet. After a thorough search all over the campus, students and other people in the university were allowed to carry on with their routine and the campus was declared as safe. They are relieved as the threat is over, but remembering the 2007 incident that took so many lives.

There were very few students outside when the firing took place as they were busy preparing for the exams that were starting from the next day. The exams have been delayed now and the administration is carrying out counseling sessions for students.

The shooter in 2007 was identified as a psychological patient, who, after killing 32 people, committed suicide in the end. This time, it is not clear why the shooter attempted this act and what his mental state was. The investigations are being proceeded to look into every possibility and identify the aim behind this firing.