Breaking News: 33 Dead in VT Shootings, VA in State of Emergency

In the continuing story of the shootings at Virginia Tech the death toll continues to grow. The latest number places the total number of deaths today at 33. This includes a shooter, who according to reports has killed himself, and the first two victims, who were killed two hours before the second incident. Reports count as many as 23 injured as well.

As it stands the police are still investigating as to whether there was a single shooter, or if the two incidents were by separate antagonists.

On the political stage Gov. Tim Kaine, President Bush, and Speaker Pelosi have all commented on the incident. Attorney General Gonzales has stated that agents from both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were already on the campus in order to aid in the investigation.

Gov. Tim Kaine has declared a state of emergency in order to insure that VT can get hold of any required aid.

A list of victims is not expected until sometime tomorrow.

We have received a number of reports from GMU students who have attempted to or have been able to contact friends at VT.

Police said there had been bomb threats on campus over the past two weeks by authorities but said they have not determined a link to the shootings.

The outpouring of emotion on the campus is already apparent. There is a 9p.m. meeting at Eisenhower Hall, a 7p.m. meeting at Hanover Hall, a 10 p.m. meeting at the Multi-Purpose room by Liberty Square. Also important is a midnight candlelight vigil for the victims tonight at the clock tower outside the JC.

In the state of Virginia an of age permanent resident may carry a concealed weapon in any location besides a college campus.

This is the latest and most deadly in a line of college shootings since 1966. Most notable among them was the 1966 University of Texas at Austin shooting in which a sniper was used to kill 16 people and wound 31, a homicidal rampage that went on for 96 minutes. In 1996, Frederick Martin Davidson shot dead the three professors to whom he was presenting his thesis. In Oct. 2002, student Robert Flores, 40, kills his instructor and then returns later with five guns, killing two more instructors before killing himself.

The FBI has released a threat assessment warning other schools to watch out for copycat shootings.

UPDATE: 25 Dead, At Least 22 Injured at VT Shooting

The count of 25 dead and at least 22 injured has been confirmed by ABC.

Reports have the FBI joining in the investigation.

"He was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors and all of the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said, concerning President Bush's reaction.

AP:

Aimee Kanode, a freshman from Martinsville, said the shooting happened on the 4th floor of West Ambler Johnston dormitory, one floor above her room. Kanode's resident assistant knocked on her door about 8 a.m. to notify students to stay put.

"They had us under lockdown," Kanode said. "They temporarily lifted the lockdown, the gunman shot again."

"We're all locked in our dorms surfing the Internet trying to figure out what's going on," Kanode said. Madison Van Duyne, a student who was interviewed by telephone on CNN, said, "We are all in lockdown. Most of the students are sitting on the floors away from the windows just trying to be as safe as possible."