Victims of shooting mourned

WSLS NewsChannel 10
Published: April 21, 2007

This week has been like none other for the Virginia Tech community and for the nation.

For many of us, this week has been a mix of emotions. First, there was the shock, then came the anger. But throughout it all there was an overwhelming sadness.

Friday may have been the official "Day of Mourning", but across the nation people are sporting maroon and orange, showing Hokie pride.

Bells tolled around the country Friday, including in bells in Roanoke. They tolled 32 times, for 32 victims.

The memorials set up on Virginia Tech's drill field continue to grow as more people come to reflect on what happened and remember the victims.

For one student, who witnessed the massacre first hand in Norris Hall, it's clear that surviving and event like this is never easy. "I haven't been able to realize the severity of what had happened yet," says Teresa Walsh. "I just can't sleep and I can't really eat that much. If I do sleep, which is only like an hour or two, it's of pure exhaustion."

Saturday, friends and family gathered in Richmond, Virginia to remember Rachael Hill. She was one of the students killed in Norris Hall when Seung-Hui Cho opened fire.

Rachael was a freshman studying Biology after graduating from Grove Avenue Christian School in Henrico County. She was 18-years-old.

Hill, an only child, was popular and funny, had a penchant for shoes and was competitive on the volleyball court.

A Grove Avenue school administrator says, "Rachael was a very bright, articulate, intelligent, beautiful, confident, poised young woman. She had a tremendous future in front of her." He says "Obviously, the Lord had other plans for her."

Reema Samaha was also in Norris Hall when Seung-Hui Cho opened fire.

Saturday, friends and family gathered in Chantilly at Saint Timothy's Catholic Church for a memorial service.

Reema went to the same high school as Cho, but investigators have not said whether there's any direct connection between the two.

One of Reema's high school friends described her as a "shining star".

In Rappahannock County, Virginia, some 1,500 people filled the football field of Emily Hilscher's high school. Hilscher loved horseback riding -- several people came in riding outfits.

And in Lincoln, Rhode Island, about 100 people remembered Daniel O'Neil. In a news release, his family said his spirit and his influence on his friends will go on.