[Tlc] TLC-tragedy at NIU

[justinm at ucr.edu]

Dear All,

I am sure most have heard about the terrible events that took
place at Northern Illinois University on February 14th. Six
people were murdered and over 16 injured by a lone gunman in a
lecture hall. You can see the latest news at:

http://www.niu.edu/index.shtml

As you all know NIU is one of the world's premier institutions
for Southeast Asian Studies. They have recently hosted the
International Lao Studies Conference and the International
Thai Studies Conference. This tragedy hits close to home for
those of us in the field.

Please join me and the TLC community in offering condolences
to all of those hurt by this horrific day.

With sadness,
justin
*Latest Information

8:55 p.m. CST, 2/14/08

NIU can confirm six fatalities, including the gunman. Four of
the dead were female and two, including the gunman, were male.
In total, there were 22 injured or killed.

NIU can confirm that the shooter was an NIU graduate student
in sociology in the Spring of 2007 but was not currently enrolled.

At a press conference held on NIU's campus Thursday evening,
NIU President John Peters said, "Our hearts and prayers go out
to the victims and their families. We thank the community for
the outpouring of sympathy during this terrible time of tragedy."

Peters urged students to remain calm and seek counseling.
"We've asked them to reach out to each other during this
difficult time, and they've done that, and I'm proud of them."

The NIU Department of Public Safety is asking that any
individuals who witnessed the Feb. 14 shooting, or who believe
they have any information related to the shooting, call the
University Tip Line at (815) 753-TIPS. Police will return
calls as soon as possible.

The FBI is processing the crime scene and the investigation is
being aided by the Illinois State Police, the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, the State Crisis Management Team,
the City of DeKalb Police, City of Sycamore Police, DeKalb
County Sheriff's Department, the Ben Gordon Center and the
DeKalb, Sycamore and Cortland Fire Departments, as well as FEMA.

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu