Today (7:00 AM ET) - NBC

ANN CURRY, anchor:

A small law school in Virginia, as you just heard, is reeling this morning after a shooting rampage on campus Wednesday. Three people were killed, including the dean of the law school. A suspect is in custody. NBC’s Virginia Cha is in Grundy, Virginia, with more on this story.

Virginia, good morning.

VIRGINIA CHA reporting:

Good morning, Ann.

The suspect faces arraignment this morning on three counts of capital murder. He’s accused of shooting to death two members of the faculty and one student. Officials say he had a history of mental instability, and that just before the shooting rampage, asked a professor, who he did not harm, to pray for him.

Students at this tiny law school shocked by the tragic killings. A struggling law student, 43-year-old Peter Odighizuwa, apparently angry about being suspended because of his grades. Police say he took out his frustration with deadly violence first shooting two faculty members, including L. Anthony Sutin, the dean of the Appalachian School of Law.

Mr. MICHAEL SLATER (Virginia State Police): The suspect then went downstairs to the first floor and shot the other students as he exited the building. As he walked out of the building, three students grabbed him and subdued him and forced him to the ground.

CHA: The school of just 170 students described as a tight knit community, now grieving over the death of their friends.

Three students seriously injured in that shooting are listed in fair condition this morning. The school is holding a memorial service later today, open to the public. Ann:

CURRY: NBC’s Virginia Cha. Thank you, Virginia.

Appalachian School of Law Shootings

Today (7:00 AM ET) - NBC