A memorial service is being held today on the campus of Virginia Tech, a day after a gunman shot dead 32 people in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger: “I’m really at a loss for words to explain or understand the carnage that has visited our campus. I know no other way to speak about this than to tell you what we know and what we do not know. It is now confirmed that we have 31 deaths from the Norris Hall, including the gunman. Fifteen other victims are being treated at local hospitals and Roanoke facilities. There are two confirmed deaths from the shooting at the West Ambler Johnston dormitory. That’s in addition to the 31 at Norris Hall.”

School officials say the gunman was a student who lived on campus. He shot dead two students at the dormitory shortly after 7 o’clock on Monday morning. Two hours later the gunman attacked an academic building. He shot dead 30 students and professors and then killed himself. Students have criticized school officials for failing to issue warnings following the early morning double murder.

Student “I think we should have been informed. They probably should have cancelled class, obviously, there was a threat on campus, and we had no idea. They put a lot of students at risk.”

President Bush addressed the nation on Monday afternoon.

President Bush: “Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community. Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving god to comfort those who are suffering today.”