3 Dead at Louisiana College

• By David Nagel
• 02/08/08

[Updated Feb. 9, 12:24 p.m.]

Two students were killed Friday in a classroom at Louisiana Technical College's Baton Rouge campus by a third student, who is also reported dead. According to information released by LTC, the shooter and the two victims were all women in their early to mid-20s. An investigation is underway, and, as of this writing, no motive has yet been reported.

According to LTC administrators, the incident triggered an immediate implementation of the college's emergency response plan, which included sending out mass notifications of the event to students, faculty, and staff. Since the shootings last year at Virginia Tech, hundreds of colleges and universities have adopted such notification systems. At LTC, police arrived on the scene within two minutes of notification, but, reportedly, the incident was already over, and the shooter had already killed herself. The Associated Press reported that the first officer into the classroom where the shootings took place could still smell the gunpowder in the air. The incident took place at approximately 8:30 a.m.

According to a posting on LTC's site, "The leadership of the Louisiana Technical College Baton Rouge Campus in response to a shooting incident this morning executed a carefully considered emergency response plan that focuses first and foremost on the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff."

Classes have been canceled at least for the day at the Baton Rouge campus.

"Presently, [as of noon] the Baton Rouge Police Department is onsite conducting their investigation and LTC Baton Rouge administrators are coordinating with the police department on the safe dismissal of students," administrators reported.

The college is providing on site counseling for students, families, staff members, and faculty. LTC will send out a notification next week about the resumption of normal class schedules. It will remain closed at least through Wednesday.