Minal Panchal, a 26-year-old Indian female, was a promising first-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree in building science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Originally from Mumbai, India, she was known by friends and neighbors as a bright and beloved individual who was following in her late father's footsteps to become an architect.
On April 16, 2007, Minal's aspirations were tragically cut short when she became a victim in one of the deadliest school
shootings in United States history. The gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year-old undergraduate student at the university, barricaded the doors of Norris Hall, a classroom building on the Blacksburg campus, before opening fire. Minal was in her solid mechanics class in Room 204 when the attack unfolded.
As Cho attempted to force his way into her classroom, Professor Liviu Librescu held the door shut, giving his students precious time to escape through the windows. Tragically, Minal was fatally shot by the gunman. She was one of 32 people, including 27 students and 5 faculty members, who lost their lives during the rampage. The perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, died by suicide as police stormed the building, bringing an end to the horrific event. There were no other suspects, and therefore no arrests, trials, or convictions in this case, as the sole person responsible took his own life.
