BLACKSBURG, Va. (WTVR) - Monday will mark five years since the mass shootings on the campus of Virginia Tech. Events to commemorate the occasion have already begun.
Nearly 7,000 people took part in the "Run In Remembrance" Saturday. The 3.2 mile run through the Blacksburg campus started as an annual event in 2009.
32 white balloons were released in honor of the 32 people killed in April 16, 2007.
The university has planned a series of events for Monday.
From the Virginia Tech website:
- Midnight: Lighting of the Ceremonial Candle - April 16 Memorial - A candle will be lit by members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and representatives of the student body at midnight. The Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes. The candle will remain lit for 24 hours.
- 11:30 a.m.: Community Picnic- Drillfield - An event designed for the entire community. There will be food from local vendors provided at the event; however we encourage you to bring additional food and picnic blankets if possible.
- 7:30 p.m.: University Commemoration and Candlelight Vigil - April 16 Memorial - A university-wide commemoration and candlelight vigil will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial. The program will recognize the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives on April 16, 2007. The event will be coordinated by Virginia Tech students representing a variety of student organizations. Governor Bob McDonnell will attend the University Commemoration and candlelight vigil. Please note: In order to prepare for the university commemoration and candlelight vigil, the April 16 Memorial will close at 6 p.m. It will reopen at the conclusion of the ceremony.
- 11:59 p.m." Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle- April 16 Memorial - The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes prior to the 11:59 p.m. extinguishing. The candle will be extinguished and the light will be carried back to Burruss Hall, representing the commitment to never forget.
CBS 6 will have live reports all day on Monday.
