'I Heard Two Bangs'
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I heard two bangs. I thought it was construction – boards dropping. I didn't even think to consider it was gunfire. As I got closer, I asked people what was going on. I saw people running away from Norris Hall in groups of 10. They were running in fear, running away from something. When I heard the two bangs, every cop in the world came out screaming with their sirens on. My heart started to race.
I called my mom. I told her, "Mom, there's a shooter on campus. Don't freak out. "Me and Matt (her brother, also at Virginia Tech) are fine." It was just a normal day. I was thinking about how rough this week was. I had a paper to write, and an exam. Now it's anything but normal. I've always felt really safe her on campus. I'll even walk alone at midnight sometimes. I don't think I'll be walking alone anymore."
'We Went to the Windows'
Richard Mallalieu, 23, an engineering science and mechanics major, from Luray, Va.
We were just at our normal Monday lecture ... an engineering class, in Norris 204. About halfway through, a little after 9:30 a.m., I heard gunshots coming from the room directly behind us. At first my reaction was confusion. I thought it was gunshots but I just tried to convince myself that maybe it wasn't. But it definitely was.
At first, everybody just got down on the ground. We used desks to shield ourselves. At that time, one of my friends called 911, and somebody went up to the door to see if we could get out. But it sounded like gunshots were coming out in the hallway and over to another classroom. So we weren't going to be able to get out that way.
That's when we went to the windows and pulled out the screens. We were on the second floor kind of hanging from the window ledge, and we more or less fell out. We were about 10 or 12 feet above the ground. I was one of the first few kids to go. Once we heard the shots coming, everyone just headed to the window. People were screaming from the classroom behind us. That's when it really sunk in that it was as bad as it was.
We had about three windows opened up farthest away from the door. I think 12 to 15 students went out the windows. Then four students and our professor were in the room when the gunman got in. I think all four students were injured but as far as I know, they are going to be okay. But our professor (Liviu Librescu) died.
That was my first class with him. He was a good professor, generally well liked among students. He went over by the door and was kind of guarding the door, which was pretty brave and courageous of him.
After we climbed out, at first I just kind of stayed down below the window for a few seconds to see if other people were getting out. Then we ran over to Patton Hall, which is another engineering building, the next closest and most of the class congregated there.
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It was all kind of a blur. I know it's [a] cliché to say it, but it's kind of what it was. I got kind of lucky. He didn't start in our classroom. So we heard the gunshots for a while, maybe 40 gunshots by the time I was out the window, so we had enough time for most of us to get out.
For me, it wasn't a choice [to jump out the window]. It was kind of a grassy area, so it wasn't like falling on stairs or concrete. I just kind of fell and rolled, so I wasn't hurt at all. A couple of people got a little hurt like a broken ankle or a hurt back. But I think most people made it out alright [who jumped]. I didn't know what to do or where to go after I jumped. I saw that a couple of people who had jumped right before me hurt themselves and my other classmates were pulling them away. Then, I turned around and followed people going to Patton Hall. Even up to that point, it was kind of like, "Is this really happening?"
Physically, I'm fine. I've just been a little on edge, a little uneasy. But all in all, I'm doing pretty well. I've been staying close with friends and in touch with family, that kind of stuff.
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