News & Politics - Gunman opens fire in an Illinois University classroom

4N6 DNA · 02-14-2008, 04:43 PM

News that is all but too familiar to us the past few years

My prayers are with everyone affected by this.

Quote:

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A gunman wounded at least 15 people when he opened fire with a shotgun in a university classroom outside Chicago on Thursday, authorities said.

It appeared that the gunman had been killed.

"Campus police report that the immediate danger has passed," the Web site of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb said on its Web site. "The gunman is no longer a threat."

The local student newspaper and other media outlets said the gunman was dead, possibly by suicide.

A hospital near the campus said at least three victims suffered head wounds, and as many as 15 wounded people were expected. Local media reported 18 people were shot, including the gunman.

One student told local radio that roughly 140 students were in a geology classroom when the man opened fire. Other witnesses said students were bleeding profusely from neck and other wounds after being hit by buckshot from the shotgun.

Full article

**ROCKSTAR** · 02-14-2008, 05:41 PM

Man, this is SO upsetting! So incredible how one sick person can destroy a family's peace and a young person's future.

My prayers and thoughts with the family, with the friends and with everyone victimized by this.

Apparently there a 5 dead, 4 students and the shooter who committed suicide. This was reported by MSNBC.

mcdreamylover · 02-14-2008, 06:26 PM

The shooter isn't even a student there from what the news media is reporting.

ETA 6 are now dead. I heard many of the victims were shot in the head so I wouldn't be at all surprised if the death toll goes up.

Evil Poptart · 02-14-2008, 08:05 PM

I live about an hour away from NIU. Many of my friends attend the university, I haven't heard from some of them yet. It's just all insane.

It's a very scary world we live in.

capesidefan · 02-14-2008, 11:41 PM

this was so sad to hear today, the deaths and injuries of innocent people. they are in my thoughts.....

**sum1** · 02-15-2008, 09:43 AM

Here we go again. The guy in Virginia Tech, the guy in Dawson college, the guy in the shopping mall, the guy in Finland and the guy the police caught in time... this is becoming a fad. Very dangerous fad.

lavitaebella · 02-15-2008, 05:59 PM

I also live about an hour away from the campus, and a teacher at my school, her daughter goes to NIU (but she was not hurt thankfully).

I hope that all the people who died will forever R.I.P.

**TheAngel** · 02-16-2008, 09:17 AM

It's scary, I go to a campus of 40,000 in Indiana, right in the heart of the Midwest where all of this stuff has been happening. I can't lie, I worry about something like this happening here, and I'm afraid I'm going to be the one putting flowers on a stoop before I graduate. It's sad when school can't be a safe place for students. The victims and their friends and families are in my heart and in my thoughts.

4N6 DNA · 02-16-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Poptart (View Post)

I live about an hour away from NIU. Many of my friends attend the university, I haven't heard from some of them yet. It's just all insane.

It's a very scary world we live in.

Please keep us updated on how your friends and family are

***Lethe's Bramble*** · 02-17-2008, 08:23 AM

I really don't get it. They really should look at the gun law again. They did that here in Belgium after some moron went out and bought a gun and shot three people of which two of them died.

migamoo · 02-17-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Lethe's Bramble* (View Post)

I really don't get it. They really should look at the gun law again. They did that here in Belgium after some moron went out and bought a gun and shot three people of which two of them died.

I agree, but a lot of people would object because they feel it would go against their Second Amendment right.

*Ledi* · 02-17-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieryangel (View Post)

I agree, but a lot of people would object because they feel it would go against their Second Amendment right.

I personally find it sad that people value their right to bear arms (and for what?) more than human life.

howca · 02-24-2008, 04:16 PM

The right to bear fire arms is a double edged sword unfortunately. I sometimes wish they would get rid of all the guns when things like this happen, but anyone can make a weapon out of anything nowadays. It is so sad when someone takes others with them in this manner. All anyone is left with is asking "Why?"

migamoo · 02-25-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Ledi* (View Post)

I personally find it sad that people value their right to bear arms (and for what?) more than human life.

It's amazing what people value over their own welfare. I doin't get it at all

**TheAngel** · 02-25-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieryangel (View Post)

It's amazing what people value over their own welfare. I doin't get it at all

But a number of people believe that owning firearms maintains their welfare and there are studies to support both sides of the argument. The United States is simply a gun culture, we've been that way since the beginning of our history and it's not likely to change anytime soon, so something else needs to be done to protect students once the gun gets into someone's hand. Personally, I think gun control should be stricter. I know that in Indiana you can walk out of a gun store the same day with a gun in your hand. They do a background check over the phone but obviously mental health histories aren't included on the background check. I think if you're on medication for a mental illness or have been diagnosed with a mental illness you shouldn't be allowed to own a gun. I also think all guns should have mandatory fingerprinting when they're purchased as well as having at least a two week waiting period between purchase and pickup.


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