Authorities continued their forensics investigation Saturday and their efforts to interview witnesses to the slaying. Meanwhile, university officials are trying to figure out how to resume campus life. Among their important decisions is the choice to resume classes February 25, one week from Monday. When students return, they should expect to see an increased level of security on campus.
"Next week, we are going to be engaged in extensive training of our faculty and staff on how to assist our students in the re-entry back into campus life, how to make them feel safe, how to help them concentrate on their studies," NIU spokesperson Melanie Magara told reporter Saturday afternoon.
The effects of the violence at NIU have spared no one.
The bereaved continue a steady pilgrimage to a memorial on the campus, seeking answers to why the shooter, Steven Kazmierczak, opened fire, killing five students and injuring several others, before he turned the gun on himself.
"It's sad for all of us, the ones that are still alive and the ones that left," said university professor Dr. Clersida Garcia.Investigators still do not know what caused the 27-year-old to terrorize the campus of his alma mater. He had recently stopped taking his medication for depression and was acting erratically, police said, before opening fire inside a NIU lecture hall.
"Just a regular college student. Something that nobody would have ever known that a kid like this would do. He was just a regular guy," said a friend of the gunman, Lametra Curry.
Steven Kazmierczak checked into a DeKalb motel three days before carrying out his deadly shooting spree. It is believed investigators confiscated items, possibly including a laptop, and several other items left in the motel room. Investigators conducted their search as family and friends of the victims continued to grieve Saturday.
"It's a very sad moment for all of us," said Luis Garcia, a friend of one of the victims.
"I never thought this would happen here at NIU," Clersida Garcia said.
The community struggled Saturday to reclaim their campus home and sense of security.
"I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling right now…sadness, outrage. I think the same thing that so many other people here are feeling," said post-graduate student Lee Blank.
As a result of the interruption to campus life, NIU's school year will be lengthened by one week.
Investigators say they are trying to locate a possible current girlfriend of the gunman. Investigators also say that because they have found no suicide note, it will be very difficult to determine a motive, and that they may never know why the shooting happened.
Seven people remained hospitalized Saturday following the campus shootings, one of which is in critical condition.
Meanwhile, funerals for three of the five victims are set for next week.
Mass for Catalina Garcia will be held on Monday in Cicero, and a funeral for Ryanne Mace will be held Monday, as well, in St. Charles.
Wednesday, Dan Parmenter will be buried in Milan, Illinois.
Services for the other victims are pending.
NIU officials are planning a large memorial service next week for all of the shooting victims. The service is set for Thursday, tentatively, and the location had yet to be announced Saturday evening.
According to the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, a NIU Memorial Fund has been established with the capability to accept tax deductible donations online through PayPal by visiting www.dekalb.org.
"All monies donated to the NIU Memorial Fund will be utilized in aiding the NIU community with the costs assocaited with this tragic event," the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce press release reads.
Donations also can be sent by mail to DCCF-NIU Fund at 26000 DeKalb Ave. Sycamore, IL 60178.
