Virginia Tech - the worst massacre in U.S. history

Terror for two hours as gunfire rang out, students waited out the worst massacre in U.S. history
Associated Press

The first crackle of gunfire shattered the Monday morning calm. It was 7:15 a.m. on the campus of Virginia Tech and an epic killing spree had just begun.

Snow was swirling on the windy April day and classes had not yet started when a murderous rampage that would shake the nation started in a coed dormitory, West Ambler Johnston, home to 895 people.

See: Victims in Virginia Tech massacre, Suspect’s writing ‘macabre,’ ‘twisted’, Memories submitted by our readers, Colleges seeking to inform students faster, Shootings draw global condemnation, South Korea ‘in shock’ over shooting, Bomb scares, other threats at schools, School's security response questioned, Witness: Gunman ‘didn't say a single word’, Two hours of terror gripped Virginia Tech, Timeline: How deadly shooting unfolded, A look at Virginia Tech campus, history, Fact file: Deadliest shootings in U.S., Fact file: Deadly college shootings in U.S.