Shooting at University of Texas—Austin

by Grace H | September 28, 2010 at 06:08 am
3851 views | 30 Recommendations | 12 comments

A man wearing a hood and mask has shot at least one other person. Outside at 21st and Speedway. He has since gone to the undergraduate library also known as the Perry-Castanada Library. Theyve locked that down no one in or out.

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UT Austin | Photo 02

UT Austin | Photo 02

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uploaded by Caoimhin1

Campus security says "he is contained."

UT's VP for Relations says "Im told by campus security that the individual has shot himself."

Reports saying he shot himself on twitter and similar. Eye witness says he shot at least one other someone first. It has been confirmed that he has shot himself. He was heavily armed.

I was sitting in my 8am and we were getting into the lecture. Two individuals burst in, one girl and one boy. Our professor casually and likely attempting to be comedic said" You look like you've been chased." The boy, obviously in shock, replied "Just continue." He then proceeded to explain himself once he caught his breath. 

I have just heard reports that the suspect may be dead. However, many rounds were fired. Some reports say he has an AK-47. Others say a handgun. However, the prior seems more prevalent and thus i would take it to be more likely. News outlets confirm he is heavily armed.

Another eyewitness is saying people with her on the sixth floor said he shot himself on the sixth floor of the Perry-Castanada Library. There is another shooter being confirmed. 

I have just been told there are tanks and swat teams on scene. There is another suspect reportedly at Calhoun Hall. That is by the UT Tower. It is one of the buildings on the main lawn colloquially called the "Six Pack." 

Sources confirm a search of the University Tower. 

Campus is on lockdown until further notice. Check your email from resident Powers. I have been told classes are cancelled until further notice. Those of you here please stay inside until further notice. Sirens are going off. Stay inside. I wish the best for all of you.

I have just heard there is a potential separate suspect. At least one injury. Nothing further in terms of casualties or injuries. There is not much detail here. There is also no confirmation that this is the case merely that it is highly likely.

EMS reports they have treated no one thus far. However, that library is the main undergraduate library and is open twenty-four seven. There are multiple ambulances but no news on if anyone has been brought out.

Please excuse the lack of flow or depth. This is all I know except for the here-say. I will refrain from posting that so not to cause a panic of any sort. Will update. I am across the street from the shooting.

**UPDATE**

The campus has announced an all clear. Those who live in dorms are free to return to them. However, everyone else has been asked and directed to leave. Those who remain include law enforcement personnel, media figures, and a few essential workers.

Authorities call the second a suspect not a gunman. There is the possibility that because the original gunman changed clothes and was moving as he sporadically discharged his rifle, the events of today are a solitary act. However, the police department and others involved have pledged to be thorough and would rather be safe than sorry.

Most buildings are currently being evacuated or are being prepared to do so. The majority of campus is closed still to all forms of traffic. Searches will continue likely for the rest of the day. There are dogs on sight searching for gunpowder—so as to trace the path and eliminate the possibility of another party's being involved—and explosive ordinances.

Today, on the day that a talk was scheduled to campaign per se and discuss the implications thereof for allowing concealed arms and armaments on campus, we have been fortunate. Sporadic firings gave rise to talk of Columbine; and who can forget about the shooting in the Sixties. Yet, so far we have had neither of those. We have students and teachers calling family and peers with happy news. Yet still, the silence is ominous. Going back to the everyday seems so weird. On a day with great weather, it feels fabulous to be alive.

Update 2: 6:00 P.M.

We are told the shooter was a 19-year-old math major. His house was searched as so identified by public records. The name of the young man is Colton Tooley according to the Medical Examiner. Authorities say he now acted alone. All roads are now open up. 

Classes will resume tomorrow as per the schedules. Shuttle services and buses will also resume tomorrow as normal. For now, we simply try and comprehend what the motivation could be. It is the time of year for tests to begin (aka a week of hell where they all fall) assuming there was nothing in his personal life that so motivated him. Until then we grieve and wait. 

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Amy Judd
Amy Judd
flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 08:20 on September 28th, 2010

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member Grace H who was on the scene.

recommend This comment thread is now closed
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Grace H

I will eventually turn this into a finished copy.

I have just heard the first suspect is dead. Another is being looked for on the third floor of the library. Likely related.

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Grace H

Also, if youve heard anything please post it. This is across the street from my class and people are sorta freaking out...

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Amy Judd

Great job on this - thanks for posting.

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Grace H

Thx. Im still a little in shock.

Ive heard a second suspect possibly at or working way towards tower. We are on lockdown ppl freaking out.

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Amy Judd

Stay safe- we will update with some information when we can as well.

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Grace H

K. Good. Thanks

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

Great work Grace.  Thanks for this story.

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Amy Judd

University of Texas professor Randall Wilhite heard gunshots on his way to class and saw students scrambling to safety. He said he saw a man in a dark suit and a ski mask pulled over his face running toward the direction of the library a little after 8 a.m.

Wilhite said the man was carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle and fired it randomly.

"When I pulled up in my car, he stood right in front of me and didn't stop running but turned in my direction, fired three shots into the ground to the left of my car and kept running. I wasn't sure it was real until I saw the bullets strike the ground to my left."

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nanute

First and foremost Grace, stay safe. Just be thankful that whomever is doing this, doesn't know the history of this guy: CHARLES WHITMAN: THE TEXAS TOWER SNIPER — Early Charlie — Crime Library on truTV.com

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Grace H

Indeed. I heard they were searching Calhoun Hall (on front lawn by tower) and the Tower and I was just astounded. All this was just so crazy.

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
The person involved in this morning's shooting on campus has been confirmed dead on the sixth floor of the Perry-Castaneda Library from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," the university said in a notice on its website.
"Law enforcement are searching for a second suspect. If you are off campus, STAY AWAY. If you are on campus, lock doors, do not leave your building."

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Grace H

Oh. Also. Unlike as originally reported—for so the boy who ran in told us—there are no other casualties or reported injuries other than the shooter. Yet, one is enough.

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First Flagged at 6:22 AM, Sep 28, 2010 by Caoimhin1
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