In Memoriam...

I was sitting at my desk Monday morning and, as I usually do throughout the day, I checked CNN for the news. Around 9 o'clock I read that two students at Virginia Tech had been fatally shot. My initial thought, why is this happening?! At lunchtime, a few of us were watching the news in the lounge and learned that more people had been shot, however, the number of casualties was not known. By the time I went for my afternoon break around 3:30, the total number of victims was listed at 29. A few moments later, the CNN announcer declared that that number had unfortunately risen to 32...then 33, including the shooter. They also revealed that this was not only the deadliest school shooting in US history, but the deadliest shooting EVER in US history. A very sombre and devastating milestone. I sat there shocked and broken-hearted and the one thing that kept circulating in my mind was "I can't even imagine"...and I still can't.

I tried to picture the horror that the victims must have endured. Imagine one moment sitting in class, joking with classmates, working on a year-end term paper or answering a professor's question and the next moment a silent and stone-faced classmate comes in and shoots around the room. I would think that it would seem surreal to be faced with that kind of random and senseless violence.

What I can't wrap my head around is why these killers perpetuate these suicide missions?! I doubt they work survival into their plan, so what's the point of killing innocent people?! What possible purpose or gain can their be made from this selfish and cowardly act?! Whatever problems this guy had, I have no sympathy or compassion for him. I do, however, feel for his family and loved ones. They are left with the legacy of a son who single-handedly massacred 32 beautiful, bright and energetic people whose potential and enduring spirit will never be fully realized.

The New York Times have a link on their website that memorializes the victims. Some of the victims' had links to personal webpages and MySpace pages. I read through them in tears because it just brought a harsh reality to the tragedy. These were vibrant individuals who aspired to be better people hoping to leave their mark on the world and hopefully make the world a better place. There's nothing sadder than potential unrealized.

I hope that the survivors of the massacre and the victims' families will one day have peace of mind.