At the moment, I'm listening to the online police scanner and following two Twitter feeds as this latest crisis unfolds at Virginia Tech.
I graduated from there almost 20 years ago but have no ties to the place now, other than I recognize the landmarks being mentioned. But I hate this feeling, this craving for knowledge about what's happening — what's really happening — in Blacksburg right now. Twitter is quick, but full of noise, both good and bad. The police scanner is immediate; it's delivering what I need right now. CNN feels like old news.
***the police just found a suspect … sending an officer … gray hoodie … extremely suspicious***
I've felt this sense of impatience and subtle panic before. On 9/11 and again during the last VA Tech shooting. And … where I work. This is our daily fabric, it seems. I suppose my kids will know this feeling, too. I wonder, did my grandparents feel this as well? At any moment, a bloody reminder that safety is an illusion.
***that "suspect" wasn't the guy … just someone dressed like him***
I don't know if technology helps or hurts. I'm so close to it right now, even as I sit five hours away at a desk in Silver Spring. I hear the license plate number of a possible suspect's car is covered in black as they're driving down the highway. I know how many cops are stationed at Squires Student Center. I know "318" needs a spare portable battery.
Last time this happened at Tech, I produced a story on it. This time, I'm just following along, probably too closely, hoping no one else gets hurt.
I hope they catch the guy soon. The scanner stays on until they do.
Here are the links I'm following if you want to too:
Twitter feed for the Collegiate Times, Va Tech's campus paper.
Twitter feed for the hashtag #VT.
Image Courtesy of VT
