Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb says the WIU community sends its thoughts and condolences to the students, faculty and staff at Northern Illinois University where five people were killed by a lone gunman, who also killed himself.
WIU will host a vigil in memory of those at Northern Illinois who lost their lives. It begins at 3:00 pm on Monday February 18 in the University Union Prairie Lounge.
Meanwhile, Office of Public Safety Director Bob Fitzgerald says plans are in place to deal with incidents similar to what happened at Northern. He says officers have undergone training and tactical equipment has been bought.
Fitzgerald also says the university's emergency alert system has been tested. People can ask to have the alert system contact them in up to six different ways, including via phone, e-mail or text message. Fitzgerald encourages students, faculty and staff to go to this link to provide up-to-date and accurate information.
Fitzgerald says the emergency alert system was developed after the Virginia Tech shootings last spring.
You can listen to an interview with OPS Director Bob Fitzgerald by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*The shooter was 27-year old Steve Kazmierczak. He was a former NIU student and current University of Illinois graduate student.
*Investigators say Kazmierczak left a duffel bag with the zippers glued shut in a DeKalb motel room where he checked in a couple days before going on the shooting rampage.
*Lieutenant Gary Spangler of the DeKalb Police Department says a bomb squad safely opened the bag. Spangler would not comment on what was found in the bag. The Chicago Tribune, citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators found ammunition inside the bag.
*Those killed in the shooting are:
32-year old Julianna Gehant, who was studying to become a teacher.
20-year old Catalina Garcia, who was studying to become a teacher.
20-year old Daniel Parmenter, who was studying finance.
20-year old Gayle Dubowski.
19-year old Ryanne Mace, who was studying psychology.