Hokies Hold Vigil for NIU
posted 10:57 pm Mon February 18, 2008 - Blacksburg, Va.
More than 1,000 people gathered for a candlelight vigil at dusk Monday to show their support for the victims of the latest school massacre. "We share their pain and we want to show our support and let them know they're not alone in their pain," said one mourner.
Northern Illinois is trying to cope after a shooting rampage Thursday by a gunman who killed five students and wounded 16 others before committing suicide.It echoed last April's tragedy at Virginia Tech, where student Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people before killing himself.
John McBrien, Hokies United said, "We kind of knew in some way that eyes were going to be on us. People were going to wonder how Virginia Tech responds to someone else doing the same thing."
The vigil was held at Alumni Mall, in front of the Torgersen Bridge. Some of the thousands of surplus candles sent to the university after last spring's shooting were used for the vigil.
"Everyone is so closer now and this family is much stronger now and they will get that too," said VT supporter Nicole Fillman.
Among those to attend the vigil were Renee Cloyd, who lost her daughter Austin Cloyd in the Virginia Tech shootings, and school president Charles Steger.
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