I had planned to put up a few China-related links, but I’m going defer to something that actually matters for the time being. One of the strange things about being in China is that very often news doesn’t get to you as soon as it should. And on days like today, I hope that everyone that needs to be aware of the news, is made aware as soon as possible.

So just in case some of you here in China have not heard yet, there is some pretty tragic news coming out of Virginia.

Here are the links, so you can read for yourself:
33 dead in ‘horrific’ campus shooting in Virginia via CBC
Virginia Tech Shooting Survivor Describes Incident
Virginia Tech Shooting Sounds- Cell Phone Video
Officials: Gunman dead after bloody campus rampage via CNN
Statement by Virginia Tech President Steger (mp3)
Virginia Tech Shooting Pool Flickr
“Always Remember Virgina Tech” Facebook Group
美国弗吉尼亚理工大学发生枪击案

Update: Well, these might be China links after all

One alleged witness told news commentators on the scene that the shooter was a young Asian man, but Virginia Tech University police, nor the FBI were releasing any information as to the identification of the shooter.

The students and faculty were barricading themselves in their classrooms after what one person described as an Asian student wearing a vest opened fire.

CCTV was–of course–all over this story (sickeningly giddy, really) during the morning newscast with plenty of images of the violence in the USA. I do wonder if CCTV will continue to be so excited if it turns out the shooter was actually from China…

No Chinese students found among victims in Va. Tech shootings

Update #2: A Virginia Tech senior from South Korea

Accoring to yahoo news, it was a South Korean student.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - A Virginia Tech senior from South Korea was behind the massacre of at least 30 people locked inside a campus building in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history, the university said Tuesday.

The Virginia Tech Police Department identified him as Cho Seung-Hui, 23, a senior in the English department.