A total of 33 people, including the gunman, were killed in the shooting rampage took place in Virginia Tech, university president Charles Steger said at a press conference on Monday.

"It is now confirmed that we have 31 deaths from Norris Hall, including the gunman .... There are two confirmed deaths from the shooting in Ambler Johnston Dormitory," Steger said at a news conference held at Blacksburg, Virginia where the university is located.

The identity of the gunman was not known yet because he did not carry any ID, Steger said.

More information about the shooting accident is expected Tuesday as investigation goes on, Steger said.

Moreover, the gunman killed himself at the shooting rampage, university police chief Wendell Flinchum said. "The gunman took his own life," he said.

Earlier, President George W. Bush, in a brief statement at the White House, said he was "shocked and saddened" at the shooting took place at the Virginia Tech.

Bush said it appeared that more than 30 people had been killed and many more wounded in the shooting rampage and promised his administration's full effort in investigating the shooting.

The shooting rampage is the deadliest in the campus shooting in the U.S. history.

"Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning, when that sanctuary is violated the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community," Bush said. "Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech."

White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino has said that Bush was "horrified" by the shooting.

"He was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors and all the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident," Perino said in a statement. "His thoughts and prayers are with them."

"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," the statement added.

It is not immediately known if there is any Chinese students among the killed or wounded. U.S. media said there are a total of over 2,000 international students in the Virginia Tech and about half are from India and China.

In addition to those killed, U.S. media said 29 others were wounded in the shooting rampage.

Moreover, the police is investigating the motive of the gunman. It is not immediately known if the gunman is a student.

The gunman opened fire in a dormitory and a class room at Virginia Tech University during a two-hour span, university police chief Wendell Flinchum said.

"The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. There was two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities," Steger said in a statement posted on the official website of Virginia Tech.

"The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus," he said.

The university, situated in Blacksburg, southwest Virginia, will be closed through Tuesday and faculty and staff members were asked to go home effective immediately after the incident.

Previously, the deadliest campus shooting in the country took place in 1966 at the University of Texas at Austin, in which 17 people, including the gunman, were killed.

Founded in 1872, the state university has more than 25,000 full-time students. The school is best known for its engineering school and its powerhouse football team.

A decade of campus gun violence

October 2006: A 32-year-old gunman shoots dead at least five girls at an Amish school in Pennsylvania, before killing himself

March 2005: Minnesota schoolboy kills nine, then shoots himself

March 2001: Pupil opens fire at a school in California, killing two students

April 1999: Two teenagers shoot dead 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves at Columbine School in Colorado

May 1998: Fifteen-year-old shoots dead two students in school cafeteria in Oregon

April 1998: Fourteen-year-old shoots dead a teacher and wounds two students in Pennsylvania

March 1998: Two boys, 11 and 13, kill four girls and a teacher in Arkansas

December 1997: Fourteen-year-old boy kills three students in Kentucky

October 1997: Sixteen-year-old boy stabs mother, then shoots dead two students at school in Mississippi, injuring several others.

Source: Xinhua - China Daily