Tales Of Heroism, Death And Survival

Cynthia Bowers Reports On Some Of The Virginia Tech Massacre Victims

(CBS)  In the midst of all the death that rained down on Virginia Tech Monday, there were some who, even though they were shot, turned out to be the lucky ones.

"She's 19 years old. It’s a very scary time. We were scared for her but she persevered," says Patrick Strollo, talking about his sister Hilary, a freshman at Virginia Tech.

"She said it was terrifying. Blood everywhere and lots of bullets and she was trying to pretend she was dead," Strollo explains, who is a senior at the university. "She got up against the wall in a fetal position."

Hilary was shot three times by gunman Cho Seung-Hui. "She was shot in the left side of the stomach. She has a 9 mm bullet in her buttocks and another bullet grazed her head," Strollo tells Cynthia Bowers. "Blood was running down her face, so she thinks he thought she was dead and he didn’t come back again."

The gunman did come back for many others and may have killed even more if one brave 76-year-old had not gotten in his way. "I really felt a sense of pride even thought I wasn’t surprised at how he acted at this moment," says Joe Librescu, the son of Liviu Librescu, a Romanian-born engineering professor, grandfather, and Holocaust survivor.

"His was definitely a fulfilled life," says Joe Librescu, who spoke to CBS News from Israel, where Librescu once lived.

April 16 - the day of the shooting - was already a solemn day on the calendar in Israel, where it was marked as Holocaust Remembrance Day.

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Click here for an interactive gallery of the victims.

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Librescu's son says the family's grief is offset by accounts of how his father blocked the gunman's access to his classroom, while his students escaped by jumping from second story windows. "He stopped the door from getting open and the last students to jump off looked behind and saw him getting shot," Librescu says.

The gunman killed the professor.

His bullets also were fatal for sophomore Matt La Porte from New Jersey. La Porte, a military school graduate, was tough enough to be drum corps commander yet played the cello beautifully.

"It's close to home. You say, 'Oh my God, that happens over there. This happens in Columbine.' And that happens. But to know that right next door your neighbor's son was murdered," one of La Porte's neighbors told CBS News.

Relatives describe 19-year-old Mary Read as someone who seemed to burst with life. "We called her our little princess," remembers Mary Courtney, Read's aunt.

Hilary Strollo's parents Diane and Patrick say their freshman daughter, who was shot three times, will make a full recovery.

And Caitlin Carney's mom Susan says her daughter plans to attend her sister's wedding Wednesday, despite her injured hand.

"All the guests are gonna wear a white glove on their left hand, so she won't look out of place," Susan says.

It's that spirit that people say will live on – in memory of all who were lost.

[stoner_1]

With all of the coverage the Media has given, the shooter has had his 15 minutes of fame for the past several days now. Basically he's become an example for all the other wackos and problem children out there who crave attention via acting out violently.

The media needs to find something else significant to cover and let the families of the victim%u2019s greave in piece.

[grampyweav]

The shootings at Virginia Tech, what a tragic thing to happen. With security being what it's supposed to be in this day and age,one wonders how the weapons got on the campus.
My thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends, and loved ones of all of the ones who were killed or injured in this terrible incident. Also to all of the students and faculty that were spared, hope that they can overcome this horrible event and continue their endevors. God bless and be with you all.

[condumism]

US Courts have stated over and over again that the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution does now grant the right of individual to own fire arms. To get around this law, gun owners can claim that they are a part of the militia. Thus, it is past due time for all individuals that own guns in the USA to stand up and fight for America, and be sent to Iraq. Otherwise, all US gun owners are COWARDS!

[gkc99]

30,000 people a year are killed in auto crashes in the US. Obviously, big, heavy, powerful autos are more dangerous. I call for a ban on all private automobiles weighing more than 2000 pounds and having more than 100 horsepower. 100 horsepower is enough for anybody!

[whatithink-2009]

To gkc99,

When the only reason to have a car is to kill people, I will stand with you and order a ban on automobiles.

[flgatord]

Without the mind behind the hand that pulled this trigger, none of this would have happened. If it had not been a gun, would the shooter have not committed such a horrific act?

No, he had many options. Evil does not just kill through bullets and guns. It is said the worst enemy is one that is willing to die. They will find a way, whether it involves guns, poisonous gases, or bombs with deadly shrapnel. No, guns were not the issue here; instead the man behind the gun.

But it should not be our cause to find superficial reasons why this happened. Every tragedy that occurs we do so, and with no avail, as years later, another occurs. We should focus on healing together and strengthening in hope. Learning together what signs people give when they are in such a dark place, and finding some way to help them. I don't offer all of the answers in how that is to be done. But, it is better than putting blame on a faceless, fleshless perpetrator.

[gkc99]

condumism--you totally misstate the holdings of U.S. courts on the 2nd amendment. Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that the 2nd amendment DOES embody a personal right to gun ownership. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit had a similar holding a few years back. Also, a number of states have Constitutions that explicitly provide for the right to gun ownership (e.g., Oregon).

[gkc99]

WhatIthink:

Nobody needs an SUV. Ban them now.

Besides, guns are good for many things besides killing humans (not that killing humans is always bad). They can save innocent lives by deterring attacks. They can be used to hunt with. Also, they are fun to shoot, and many people enjoy target shooting sports.

According to your logic we should disband our military, as armies cause wars--NOT!

[ov442]

I think someone needs to publicly stand up and tell the American people, immigrants, visitors and close nations, that if you are feeling ticked off and angry at the world and people around you, you Need to seek help to figure out how to deal with other people and situations. Too many people stew in their own anger, frustration, and depression and it builds until it explodes.
These people think they are alone and no one else ever feels like they do, because they cant talk to anyone. They need to understand there is always going to be dysfunctional family, fighting with loved ones, the jerk in school picking on people, the rich snobby kids, the self superior ones, the pretty girl that thinks your "not her type"... you have to accept that and these people have the right to act as they want. Doesnt make them morally or sensibly right, but lashing out at people that have their own stories and lives, and never did anything to you is something that shouldnt happen. If someone harms you, you have the right to seek justice, not revenge. Deciding to spread your pain to people that deal with life better isnt an acceptable result.

[dblbar]

My heart and prayers go up for all the people affected by this tragedy. I am reminded of the incredible love and forgiveness the Amish displayed to the entire world during their tragedy. I was incredibly humbled. Im not sure I could do the same, if it were a member of my family....

[jairod]

So Bush goes to Virginia to speaks words of confort to the stricken families. 32 killed and he has the audacity to deny any complicity in the deaths of over 3000 American brave and fearless fighters he personally sent to Iraq to meet their deaths. All the excuses and lies will not erase his guilt of those American deaths:lest we all forget, the newspeople covering his farcicle attempt to enter history as a War President have also suffered from his moronic and skewed view of reality. But, he is not alone: Chaney, Rove, etc. are jsut as culpable and carry the onus to explain to the families of Bush's vicitims why they didn't stop Bush the Butcher.

[craash1]

FRIDAY

VIRGINIA TECH
ORANGE AND MAROON EFFECT DAY


Virginia Tech family members across the country have united to declare
this Friday, April 20th, an "Orange and Maroon Effect" day to honor
those killed in the tragic events on campus Monday, and to show support for
Virginia Tech students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and
friends. "Orange and Maroon Effect" was born several years ago as an
invitation to Tech fans to wear orange and maroon to Virginia Tech athletic
events. We invite everyone from all over the country to be a part of the
Virginia Tech family this Friday, to wear orange and maroon to support the
families of those who were lost, and to support the
school and community.

[glesgagirl]

Liviu Librescu the Holocaust survivor is a Hero for what he did.
My heart goes out to all the victim's and families and also to all the kids at Va Tech
God Bless them all

[cougars073]

Why do some people have to blame everybody else or give excuses of one thing or another. Put the blame where it belongs, with the shooter. Always remember that golden rule ,"Do unto others", in other words can't people have respect for other people and treat each other that way. And quit blaming liberals, conservatives aren't spotless either. If people would get more angry at the many men and women the war has killed and maimed, maybe we wouldn't be there now! What an insult to have the President there!

[retmilspouse]

There is no excuse for what this monster did. But if anything can come from this please: parents, adults, friends, teachers, preachers, neighbors etc etc etc etc.....
Teach children not to make fun of people. I see it happening everyday especially when children are in groups, even with other adults, making fun of people with derogatory remarks, laughing and other negative actions. If you do not like the way someone looks, talks, acts or dresses
DON'T LOOK AT THEM, GO AWAY AND LEAVE THEM ALONE! Why are there bullies in the world, they are as much at fault as this sick individual is for what happened. People who bully are now standing to the side and commenting on how horrendous this action was.