Gunman was student from South Korea, motive being ascertained

Washington , Apr 17(UNI) The lone gunman suspected of killing 33 people at Virginia Tech, in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern US history, was identified as a 23-year-old South Korean student Cho Seung-Hu, who was studying English at the university.

The authorities are still struggling to find a possible motive for the attacks, although unofficial sources say Cho was searching for his girlfriend, with whom he had recently broken up.

Cho was known to be a resident at Centerville, Virginia but currently living on campus in Harper Residence Hall, the university said.

There are 7,000 students from India studying at Virginia Tech, which is situated on quiet mountainous region on 2,600 acres. It is about 150 miles from Richmond, capital of Virginia state and about 150 miles from Washington DC , the nation's capital.

Media reports here said two law enforcement officials said Cho's fingerprints were found on the guns used in both shootings. The serial numbers on the two weapons had been filed off, the officials said.

A memorial service was planned for the victims this afternoon at the university, and President George Bush plans to attend it, the White House said. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine was also flying back to Virginia from Tokyo, and would accompany President Bush at the service to be held at 1400 hrs.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences, saying there was no known motive for the shootings and that South Korea and hoped the tragedy would not ''stir up racial prejudice or confrontation.'' ''We are in shock beyond description,'' said Cho Byung-se, a ministry official handling North American affairs. ''We convey deep condolences to victims, families and the American people.'' The first deadly attack was at the dormitory at around 0715 hrs, but some students said they didn't get their first warning about a danger on campus until two hours later, in an e-mail at 0926 hrs.

By then, the second attack had begun.

Students jumped from windows, and students and faculty carried away some of the wounded without waiting for ambulances to arrive.

Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech is nestled in southwestern Virginia, about 160 miles west of Richmond . With more than 25,000 full-time students, it has the state's largest full-time student population. The school is best known for its engineering school and its powerhouse Hokies football team.

UNI