Va. Tech mourns those killed in rampage

BLACKSBURG, Va., April 16 (UPI) -- Virginia Tech Wednesday mourned the loss of 32 students and faculty members who were killed a year ago in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

The 90-minute official commemoration began with the reading of the names of the victims and remarks by Gov. Timothy Kaine and university President Charles Steger, The Washington Post reported.

Addressing faculty, students and families, the Democratic governor called for a statewide day of remembrance and a moment of silence at noon, to be followed by a tolling of bells. He also asked for state flags to be flown at half-staff, the newspaper reported.

"We have been inspired by the resilient Hokie spirit of Virginia Tech, both in Blacksburg and around the world," he said. "Since that tragic day last April, the unshakable sense of unity and hope demonstrated by the Hokies has touched the lives of people around the world."

April 16, 2007, student Seung Hui Cho shot and killed 32 people and wounded many others before killing himself.

A candlelight vigil was planned for Wednesday evening, among other tributes on the Blacksburg, Va., campus.