On April 16, 2007, tragedy struck at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia, when an active shooter took the lives of 32 students and faculty members, injuring many others.
It remains one of the most devastating days in the history of higher education.
Each year, the Virginia Tech community and supporters worldwide gather to remember the victims, celebrate their lives, and renew a commitment to compassion, learning, and resilience.
The Day of the Tragedy
Early Morning: West Ambler Johnston Hall
At approximately 7:15 a.m., two students, Ryan Christopher Clark and Emily Jane Hilscher, were fatally shot inside West Ambler Johnston Hall.
Initial investigations suggested a domestic dispute, and no campus-wide alert was issued at that moment.
Mid-Morning: Norris Hall
At 9:40 a.m., the shooter entered Norris Hall, chained the main doors, and began firing in multiple classrooms.
Within minutes, 30 more lives were lost and many injured.
The attack ended when the gunman took his own life before police could apprehend him.
This senseless act left the campus — and the world — in mourning.
Remembering the 32 Hokies We Lost
The 32 victims, ranging in age from 18 to 76, represented diverse backgrounds, faiths, and academic disciplines.
Their memory continues to inspire hope, unity, and love across generations.
🕊️ The Victims 🕊️
In Loving Memory of the 32 Lives Lost on April 16, 2007
──────────────────────────────────────────────
Maxine Shelly Turner • Nicole Regina White
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Forever in Our Hearts 💔
Ross A. Alameddine • Christopher James Bishop
Brian R. Bluhm • Ryan Christopher Clark
Austin Michelle Cloyd • Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Daniel Alejandro Pérez Cueva • Kevin P. Granata
Matthew Gregory Gwaltney • Caitlin Millar Hammaren
Jeremy Michael Herbstritt • Rachael Elizabeth Hill
Emily Jane Hilscher • Jarrett Lee Lane
Matthew Joseph La Porte • Henry J. Lee
Liviu Librescu • G.V. Loganathan
Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan • Lauren Ashley McCain
Daniel Patrick O’Neil • Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz
Minal Hiralal Panchal • Erin Nicole Peterson
Michael Steven Pohle Jr. • Julia Kathleen Pryde
Mary Karen Read • Reema Joseph Samaha
Waleed Mohamed Shaalan • Leslie Geraldine Sherman
These names are forever etched into the heart of the Hokie Nation.
The “We Remember” Initiative
The We Remember website serves as a living tribute to the 32 students and faculty who were tragically taken from their loved ones and the Virginia Tech community on April 16, 2007.
It offers:
- Biographies and stories of each victim
- Information about memorials and remembrance ceremonies
- Access to online resources, support services, and community archives
- News about annual remembrance events and updates from Virginia Tech
“We hope that you are able to reflect on the tremendous promise each of them embodied for our world with creativity, intelligence, humility, and humanity.”
– We Remember, Virginia Tech
The site’s message, “Live for 32,” encourages everyone to carry forward the spirit of kindness and excellence that each victim represented.
Archives and Collections: Preserving the Memory
1. Virginia Tech April 16, 2007 Archives (Ms2008-020)
This collection, curated by the University Libraries, includes condolence materials received after the tragedy — cards, letters, banners, art, poetry, wreaths, and memory books from across the globe.
These items were displayed on campus for several months before being preserved and cataloged.
The archive has two main series:
- Series I: Condolence Material, divided into 12 subseries
- Series II: Individual Collections, featuring personal contributions
Because of the unique and emotional nature of these materials, archivists developed specialized methods for arrangement and preservation.
2. April 16, 2007 Community Photograph Collection (Ms2013-022)
This collection contains 41 framed photographs capturing the aftermath of the tragedy, taken by community members and displayed in the Perspective Gallery at Squires Student Center in April 2008.
It includes digital copies and heartfelt statements from photographers.
3. Marching Virginians’ April 16 Condolence Collection (Ms2013-084)
This collection focuses on materials received by the Marching Virginians band, many honoring Ryan “Stack” Christopher Clark, a band leader lost in the attack.
Artifacts include:
- Letters and correspondence
- Posters and banners
- Scrapbooks and photos
- A U.S. flag flown aboard the USS Constitution
- A preserved band uniform
Archives at the Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia also holds extensive archives related to April 16, including:
- Records of the Virginia Tech Review Panel (Accession 51144):
Documentation of Virginia’s official investigation into the incident. - Tragedy at Virginia Tech Web Archive (2007–2012):
Government web captures, press conferences, convocation recordings, and official statements. - Governor Timothy Kaine Administration Web Archive (2006–2010):
Files from Gov. Kaine’s office, including the Virginia Tech Review Panel report and related actions. - Kaine Email Project:
A searchable portal of over 8,000 emails from Gov. Kaine’s administration referencing April 16 and its aftermath.
Digital Collections and Online Exhibits
🕯️ Virginia Tech April 16, 2007 Condolence Archives (Digital)
Features 7,000+ digitized condolence items — from handwritten notes to symbolic gifts — offering the world a window into the compassion and unity shown in the days following the tragedy.
🌍 Communities of Caring
An exhibit highlighting messages of support from around the world, showcased during the 10th anniversary (2017), reflecting the global solidarity extended to Virginia Tech.
🕊️ Unknown Origin (2020)
Displays anonymous gifts received after April 16, 2007 — expressions of care from individuals and groups who wished to remain unnamed, demonstrating the universality of grief and love.
💖 We Are Better Than We Think (2021)
A moving digital exhibit from the 14th remembrance commemoration, featuring unseen items from the Condolence Archives — including children’s letters, poems, and hopeful messages of resilience.
Publications and Research
- Virginia Tech Magazine, Memorial Issue (Vol. 29, No. 3, May 2007):
A dedicated issue honoring the victims, filled with tributes, stories, and reflections. - Publications Related to April 16, 2007:
Books, research papers, and video recordings analyzing the tragedy and its societal impact. - Publications About School Shootings:
Academic studies exploring causes, prevention strategies, and psychological effects, often referencing the Virginia Tech incident.
Mental Health and Crisis Resources
Addressing traumatic events like April 16 can bring emotional distress, anxiety, and fear.
Virginia Tech and national organizations provide 24/7 confidential help:
📞 Crisis Hotlines
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: Text MHA to 741741
- Cook Counseling (VT Students): 540-231-6557
- NRVCS Raft Crisis Hotline: 540-961-8400
- MHA Warm Line (Mental Health America of VA): 1-866-400-MHAV (6428)
💻 Online Resources
- Student wellness: https://well-being.vt.edu
- Employee wellness: https://hokiewellness.vt.edu
- Emergency support: https://ucc.vt.edu
Annual Remembrance and the April 16 Memorial
Every year, Virginia Tech honors the victims through candlelight vigils, runs for remembrance, and reflection ceremonies at the April 16 Memorial, located near Burruss Hall.
Each stone marker at the memorial represents one life — a symbol of love, learning, and everlasting strength.
The “Live for 32” message continues to inspire acts of kindness, education, and service within and beyond the Hokie community.
Legacy of April 16, 2007
The tragedy brought profound lessons in:
- Mental health awareness and reform
- Campus safety protocols and emergency communication systems
- Community healing through empathy and remembrance
Virginia Tech emerged not only as a symbol of mourning but of resilience, unity, and hope.
The legacy of the 32 lives continues to remind us that in the face of darkness, humanity endures.
Conclusion
The events of April 16, 2007, forever changed Virginia Tech — but they also inspired a movement of compassion and strength that transcends borders.
Through archives, memorials, and annual remembrance, the Hokie Nation continues to uphold the values of its fallen — creativity, intelligence, humility, and humanity.
🕊️ We Remember. We Reflect. We Live for 32.