Virginia Tech Massacre Timeline

So with all the Virginia Tech massacre dominating the network news today, here are the updates as I received them in my email as events unfolded. My personal comments are noted as text in GREEN.

Apr 16, 2007 10:35 AM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! One Person Dead In Virginia Tech Shooting
Police say one person is dead and Virginia Tech is under lockdown after reports of a shooter on campus.

It has since been reported that there was no lockdown of the campus. In fact, the only notification most of the students received when the tragedy began was an email, which most of them would have had no access to during classes.

Apr 16, 2007 10:23 AM
subject: Breaking News - Virginia Tech reports shooting on campus, tells students to stay indoors
MSNBC Breaking News: Virginia Tech reports shooting on campus, tells students to stay indoors

Apparently, "indoors" is exactly where is was not safe to be.

Apr 16, 2007 11:07 AM
subject: Breaking News - Official: Seven to eight additional casualities at Virginia Tech campus
MSNBC Breaking News: Official: Seven to eight additional casualities at Virginia Tech campus

This is actually the first breaking news email I received that even mentioned "casualties," as "seven to eight additional."

Apr 16, 2007 11:13 AM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! Suspected Gunman Arrested In Virginia Tech Shooting Spree
Officials have told The AP that a gunman suspected in one killing and seven to eight additional casualties at Virginia Tech has been arrested.

This was apparently the cause of the delay in notifying students and why the school did not evacuate the building. Police were on to the wrong suspect.

Apr 16, 2007 12:04 PM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! 17 Injuries Reported In Virgina Tech Rampage
A hospital spokeswoman reports that 17 Virginia Tech students have been treated for gunshot wounds and other injuries. At least one person is dead.

Apr 16, 2007 12:26 PM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! Cops: 22 Dead In Va. Campus Shooting Massacre
The Virginia Tech campus police chief says at least 22 are dead after a shooting massacre at the university.

Apr 16, 2007 12:23 PM
subject: Breaking News - University official reports multiple fatalities in shootings at Virginia Tech
MSNBC Breaking News: University official reports multiple fatalities in shootings at Virginia Tech

Apr 16, 2007 1:47 PM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! At Least 30 Dead In Va. Tech Shootings
CBS News confirms at least 30 people are dead after a gunman opened fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech.

Apr 16, 2007 2:27 PM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! Sources Tell CBS Lone Gunman Took Own Life
The FBI and the ATF believe two handguns were used by a lone gunman who took his own life after fatally shooting at least 30 people at Virginia Tech, sources tell CBS News.

Apr 16, 2007 2:28 PM
subject: Breaking News - Officials tell the Associated Press the Virginia Tech death toll has risen to 31
MSNBC Breaking News: Officials tell the Associated Press the Virginia Tech death toll has risen to 31

Apr 17, 2007 9:29 AM
subject: Breaking News - Virginia Tech gunman identified as South Korean native Cho Seung-Hui, 23
MSNBC Breaking News: Virginia Tech gunman identified as South Korean native Cho Seung-Hui, 23

Apr 18, 2007 8:29 AM
subject: Breaking News - Virginia Tech building evacuated, police swarm with guns drawn
MSNBC Breaking News: Virginia Tech building evacuated, police swarm with guns drawn

I received that report this morning. That police had swarmed a building on campus today with their guns drawn. There has been nothing more about it since then, that I have been able to find.

Apr 18, 2007 2:24 PM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! Officials Say Gunman Left Suicide Note
CBS News has learned a search of the Virginia Tech gunman's apartment produced eight pages of notes which law enforcement sources characterize as a suicide note. They say the writings "appear to be a manifesto."

Apr 18, 2007 4:43 PM
subject: CBSNews.com News Alert! Police Say Gunman Mailed Manifesto To News Station
Police say Virginia Tech shooting Cho-Shun-We is believed to have sent a manifesto, multiple photos and video to NBC News which were apparently mailed after his first shootings but before his second shootings, two hours later.

So what does this say of the media? There is such a rush to keep the American public informed that we are often given unconfirmed or totally false information, because the media is so anxious to be the first to report that they don't actually take the time to make sure that what they are reporting is true. Is this a case of too much, too soon?

Joe