NIU Shooting

[freshnesschronic]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...,4963469.story

As the instructor wrapped up a lecture on types of sea salt, a gunman walked onto the stage and opened fire, officials said.
...At least five students were killed, including Parmenter, 20, of Elmhurst, a finance major and member of the NIU (Northern Illinois University) rugby team. The gunman, a former NIU graduate student, took his own life, police said.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j...w0dygD8UQIC280

A man opened fire Thursday in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University, killing five people and wounding more than a dozen others before taking his own life. The following is a timeline of events:

_2 p.m.: Geology 104 begins in a large lecture classroom in Cole Hall. More than 160 students are registered for the class.

_Shortly after 3 p.m.: A man dressed in black and carrying a shotgun and two handguns steps out from hiding and begins a "very brief rapid-fire assault" before killing himself, says NIU President John Peters. Campus police are on the scene in "less than two minutes," says NIU Police Chief Donald Grady.

_3:20 p.m.: Officials post a message on NIU's Web site saying there is a report of a possible gunman on campus and warn students to "get to a safe area and take precautions until given the all clear."

_3:40 p.m.: NIU officials say all classes are canceled and campus is closed.

_3:50 p.m.: School officials confirm there has been a shooting on campus and several people have been taken away by ambulance. Officials urge people not to come to campus.

_4:10 p.m.: Campus police report on the Web site that the scene is secure.

_4:14 p.m.: Campus police say the immediate danger has passed and "the gunman is no longer a threat."

_4:31 p.m.: NIU officials ask all students to call their parents as soon as possible.

_5:12 p.m.: Police say at a news conference the shooter is dead by a self-inflicted gunshot.

_5:43 p.m.: NIU officials say 18 victims have been transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. They say four victims are in critical condition.

_7:58 p.m.: Peters confirms at a news conference that the gunman killed five people and wounded more than a dozen others before fatally shooting himself. He says there is no known motive.

This was a lot more close to home than anything has ever been to me. DeKalb (where NIU is located) is an hour and a half away from my hometown. I personally know a few kids who go there. I'm still waiting to see if one friend is ok. My mother got real emotional as she tells me how upset it is for her to be worried for her own child's safety at an educational environment. <<sigh>>