NIU's responds with speed, information

At Virginia Tech University, the first students heard of a potential danger was two hours after the first victim had been shot.

At Northern Illinois University Thursday afternoon, the campus was locked down in a matter of minutes and alerts were posted on the school's Web site 20 minutes after the first shot was fired.

Students were notified by e-mail and public address system as well.

"The message basically was: 'There's a gunman on campus, stay where you are,' " said NIU President John G. Peters.

The campus had an emergency response plan, which was put into effect, he said.

Graduate student Laura Raymond said that while locked down in a research laboratory, a group of about 20 students relied partially on the school's Web site for updates.

"Everybody was just trying to get information," the McHenry woman said. "I think they handled it well."

The NIU campus was shut down on Dec. 10 after racist graffiti was found scrawled on a women's restroom stall in Grant Towers, a residence hall.

One of the messages written on the wall said Virginia Tech shooter Seung Hui Cho "messed up w/having only one shooter."

In a letter to students the next day, Peters said it was deemed a "credible threat."

"Vigorous investigation continues," he wrote. "It is my hope that whoever is responsible will be identified and held responsible."

Peters said on Thursday that police thought the two events were probably not connected.

Police said Thursday that there was only one shooter at NIU.