Dozens killed in US college shooting
Thirty-two people have now been confirmed dead in a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University, a US congressional aide says.
The aide says members of the Virginia's congressional delegation were advised of the death toll during a conference call organised by the Virginia's Governor's office.
"At this particular time, we have been told that there were 31 dead and then additionally, you had the shooter himself who, of course, is dead at this point in time. So that's a total of 32," Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes told CNN.
On its website, Virginia Tech University confirmed that 22 people had died, including a gunman, in the deadliest school shooting in US history.
The rampage by what police believed was a lone gunman took place in two separate areas about two hours apart.
Students who had begun crisscrossing the large campus for morning classes rushed for cover.
"This is a tragedy of monumental proportions," Virginia Tech president Charles Steger told reporters.
Virginia Tech campus police chief Wendell Finchum said police were trying to determine whether the gunman killed himself or was shot by officers.
"At this time we believe it's only one gunman," he said.
Bush 'horrified'
President George W Bush was "horrified" by the shooting White House spokeswoman Dana Perino says.
"He was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors and all of the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident," she said.
A student journalist's video of the chaos was replayed repeatedly on US television networks, showing people scurrying around the campus and volleys of shots ringing out.
The death toll was worse than a massacre at the University of Texas in Austin on August 1, 1966, when trained marksman Charles Whitman killed 15 people, including his mother and wife the night before, and wounded 31 others.
The first shooting at Virginia Tech, a state university, was reported to campus police at about 7.15am (local time) in West Ambler Johnston Hall, a dormitory housing some 900 students.
It was followed by more shooting at Norris Hall, site of the science and engineering school that has given the university much of its fame as a leading technical institute in the United States.
Bomb threats
The wounded were taken to hospitals in the area for treatment.
Students told CNN there were multiple bomb threats to the campus last week.
Two of the threats were aimed at the science and engineering school.
Virginia Tech, with 26,000 students, is located in the town of Blacksburg and set in lush rolling hills in the south-west corner of the state, about 390 kilometres from Washington.
"It's just shock and anger around here right now," graduate student Elizabeth Stewart told CNN, adding she saw the shootings as "freak incidents" that would not stop her attending Virginia Tech.
"I love my school with all my heart and soul."
Classes cancelled
The university had already sent out an email cancelling classes after the first shooting when students heard more shots, another student, Laura Spaventa, told CNN.
Classes have been cancelled for Monday and Tuesday and counsellors are being brought in to talk to the students.
"We continue to work to identify the victims that have been impacted by this tragedy," Mr Steger said.
"I cannot begin to convey my own personal sense of loss over this senseless and incomprehensible heinous act."
Virginia Tech closed for a day last August 21 because of a manhunt for an escaped prisoner.
William Morva, accused of shooting and killing a hospital guard and then a sheriff's deputy near the Virginia Tech campus while on the run, was captured a day after escaping custody on August 20.
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