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Local Student Among Virginia Tech Wounded

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

April 16, 2007 (WPVI) -- Sean McQuade of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County is among the wounded students in Virginia.

McQuade is just one of dozens of victims in today's Virginia Tech massacre. A family friend tells action news the Clearview High School graduate was shot in the face while inside Norris Hall. "It brought us to our knees and just brought us to our knees and made us really pray that it's in God's hands and he's in control and he knows the outcome of everything," said family friend Beth Jones.

Action News has learned tonight the Virginia Tech senior is in critical condition after undergoing surgery. Beth Jones says McQuade is a warm, intelligent and motivated young man with plans to become an actuary after graduation next month. His family, including his parents and two siblings rushed to Virginia to be by his side.

Jones said of Sean, "Both my boys played baseball with him he was excellent in his field he had plans to graduate in the next few weeks... he just, this tragedy really changes his life."

It has undoubtedly changed the lives of so many, both on Virginia Tech's campuses and campuses across the country.

Today Drexel University announced it had heightened the level of security. Extra campus officers and Philadelphia Police are patrolling residence halls and academic buildings. Public Safety also tested the duress alarms in campus buildings and briefed dispatchers and supervisors.

Virginia Tech students from our area and their families have talked to Action News about the tragedy on campus

"I didn't really understand how bad it was and we were getting reports in. We were on the Internet trying to figure out what's happening as well and after it started getting worse a lot of us started to panic. I called my dad crying."

Laura Spaventa, a sophomore at Virginia Tech from Glenmore, Chester County, described the fear factor on campus. She spoke with Action News via phone moments after the murderous rampage ended.

"As of right now I know my entire sorority is accounted for which I am really happy about. My roommate and my best friend, who's also from Philadelphia, she's accounted for."

Laura was in class Monday morning when the school suddenly sent an e-mail alerting them to stay inside the classroom. They remained in lockdown until 1:30 in the afternoon when the mass murder was found...

"A girl in class was saying that one of her sorority sisters was shot so that's a little unnerving."

Laura's mother, Janet, played her daughter's voice mail message that first alerted the family that she was all right.

"Hey mom it's Laura if you're there could you please pickup? Mom, please. Anyway please call me when you get a chance I'm on lockdown right now in my classroom there's gunmen on the loose on campus and apparently two people have been shot. I'm underneath the desk right now so please call me soon bye."

Laura and her mother did eventually start communicating by cell phone and text messages.

"I was upset she heard 30 shots fired she was saying she must have been very close to that building. They were dashing around with the bullhorn they knew the FBI was there. I felt upset being that far away from her," said Janet Spaventa.

The Spring term ends at Virginia Tech in about three weeks.

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