Gov. Bob McDonnell marks Virginia Tech shootings with bell tower ceremony

Va. governor commemorates 2007 VaTech shootings

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s governor led a ceremony at the state Capitol to mark the third anniversary of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history at Virginia Tech.

Gov. Bob McDonnell on Friday read a proclamation at a gathering at the Capitol bell tower honoring the 32 who died and those who were injured in the shootings. He also said the state would observe Virginia Tech Remembrance Day each April 16 during the four years of his term.

The crowd observed a moment of silence, and McDonnell then read the names of each of the students and faculty fatally shot by a student gunman on April 16, 2007. The ceremony ended with the bell ringing 32 times. The gunman killed himself after the attack.