I don't know exactly what to say here . . .

Chief: Gunman kills at least 21 at Virginia Tech

· NEW: Police chief says at least 22 people are dead, including gunman
· NEW: Attacks mark deadliest school shooting in U.S. history
· Officials tell AP that more than 20 people were wounded
· Student describes situation as "mayhem"; says 2 students jumped from window


(CNN) -- A lone gunman is dead after police said he killed at least 21 people Monday during twin shootings on the Virginia Tech campus -- the worst school shooting incident in U.S. history.

"Some victims were shot in a classroom," university police Chief Wendell Flinchum said during a news conference in Blacksburg.

Police believe there was only one gunman, Flinchum said.

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," said university President Charles Steger. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."

The shootings mark the deadliest school shooting incident in U.S. history, topping attacks at Columbine High School in 1999 and at the University of Texas in 1966.

The Associated Press quoted officials saying more than 20 people were wounded. A hospital spokeswoman told AP that 17 Virginia Tech students were being treated for gunshot wounds and other injuries.

As some of y'all know, both my parents went to the University of Virginia, but I've got numerous relatives on both sides of the family who are Virginia Tech grads, and as a child I lived right down the road from Blacksburg. I can remember numerous trips with my dad down Peppers Ferry Boulevard to Montgomery Regional Hospital or the VT campus.

Obviously I don't have as close a connection with the town or the campus as a lot of people do, but still, it's kind of chilling to see places where you distinctly remember being and imagining dozens of people getting killed there. Please, please pray for the victims and for the whole community, because there's no telling how long it's going to take them to recover from something like this.