Atlanta, GA 2/15/2008 8:26:01 AM
News / Education

NIU School Shooting Gunman Shot 18, Killed Himself

A person shot 18 people Thursday at Northern Illinois University's DeKalb campus outside Chicago, then fatally shot himself.

The shooter, dressed in black, walked out from behind a screen in a geology class in Cole Hall, a lecture hall with 600 seats, and opened fire. The gunman used a shotgun and two handguns.

The police now know the identity of the gunman but are not releasing it at this time. He was not a student at NIU's DeKalb, IL campus, but it appears he was a student elsewhere.

Several students were taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, just 10 minutes away from campus.

At least three victims are in critical condition, eight are in stable condition and six are in good condition. Most of the victims were shot in the head.

There are no reported fatalities from the DeKalb County coroner's office nor Kishwaukee Community Hospital.

Northern Illinois University, which was founded 113 years ago, is 65 miles west of downtown Chicago and has an enrollment of more than 25,000. The campus covers 755 acres.

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