Oregon Gunman May have Killed More if Not for Hero Student

The gunman who went on a deadly rampage at an Oregon college was well armed and equipped with extra ammunition, authorities said on Friday, and he may have killed more people if not for the heroism of a military veteran in an adjoining classroom.

Moore said she was lying on the ground with people who had been shot.

The gunman stormed into his college classroom, shot the professor in the head and then ordered students to stand up and state their religion.

Friends of Dr Levine told Reuters that he was teaching in his classroom when the shooting occurred.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Friday we must do more to prevent mass shooting around the country, but added that talk of gun policies should wait until after the victim’s families had time to grieve.

Although multiple media outlets have identified the shooter as Chris Harper Mercer, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin refused to speak his name, saying publicizing his identity would “only glorify his horrific actions”, and possibly “inspire future shooters”.

Officers responded and found the gunman on campus.

Obama said there is a gun for roughly every man, woman and child in the U.S.

In an online profile appearing to belong to the gunman, he listed hobbies including the internet and “killing zombies”, described his politics as “conservative, Republican” and said he was spiritual but not religious.

Kristen Sterner, left, and Carrissa Welding, both students at Umpqua Community College, embrace each other during a candlelight vigil for those killed during a shooting at the college, Thursday, October 1, 2015, in Roseburg, Ore. He was the former TV reporter who shot and killed two of his former coworkers in Roanoke, Virginia. “Once the names are released, it’s going to hurt this community all over again”.

Umpqua Community College will be closed next week, as school officials urge the community to focus on healing and law enforcement pleaded for privacy for the victims’ families. “But he walked away with his life, which is more than so many other people did”.

Andrea Zielinski, spokeswoman for Douglas County sheriff’s office, says the threat to the school has subsided.

A photo of a smiling Carnes posted to social media on Friday showed her holding up a sign on graduation day that read, “And so the adventure begins…”

Celinez Nunez, assistant special agent of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said all the weapons had been purchased legally. “It doesn’t seem real”, she said. “But if you’re near the shooter, the next tactic is run”, said Villahermosa.

Merkley praised emergency personnel and local government officials.

The congressman who represents the southwest Oregon city where a mass shooting happened at a community college says the incident is a “heartbreaking tragedy”. Several people remain injured in hospital.