Governor commemorates 3d anniversary of Virginia Tech slayings

April 17, 2010|Associated Press

RICHMOND — Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia yesterday commemorated the third anniversary of the mass slayings at Virginia Tech, calling them a “tragedy of immense magnitude and senselessness’’ and pledging to recognize the anniversary every year he is in office.

During a ceremony at the state Capitol bell tower, McDonnell read a proclamation honoring the 32 people who died and those who were injured in the shootings on April 16, 2007, when a student gunman fatally shot 27 students and five faculty members before killing himself.

The governor also recognized the continuing loss felt by the families and friends of those slain and thanked law enforcement officers who responded to the scene to prevent further deaths.

He declared that the state would observe Virginia Tech Remembrance Day each April 16 during his term.

McDonnell called the event “a somber reminder of how precious life is, and how we must always be ready to help one another in times of great tragedy and in times of inexplicable horror.’’

He also noted that the shootings prompted officials to improve college security practices and the state’s mental health and criminal justice systems. He praised his predecessor, Governor Timothy Kaine, for his “steadfast leadership’’ after the slayings.

McDonnell thanked the families of those killed and injured for their efforts to help shape policy changes.

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