Virginia Tech five-year anniversary of university shooting

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech's president says five years has done nothing to diminish the sorrow felt after the campus shootings in 2007 that left 32 people and the gunman dead.

President Charles Steger was among those to address an estimated crowd of 9,000 who gathered on the Drillfield at the heart of the Blacksburg campus to attend a candlelight vigil. The event was similar to one held in the immediate aftermath of the shootings.

Earlier, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell issued a proclamation recognizing April 16 as Virginia Tech Remembrance Day, honoring the 32 people killed by a student gunman.

On campus, other events included a community picnic, a display of memorial items sent to Virginia Tech from other schools and performances. Several locations were also set aside as quiet places for reflection.