As 12th anniversary of Virginia Tech massacre approaches, author discusses what happened to victims, gun policies at Headliners Book Event, April 4

As the 12th anniversary of the Virginia Tech mass shooting approaches, a shooting survivor and a journalist who chronicled its aftermath will speak at a National Press Club Headliners Book Event on Thursday, April 4.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the conference rooms.

Thomas Kapsidelis will discuss his newly published book, "After Virginia Tech: Guns, Safety, and Healing in the Era of Mass Shootings," which chronicles the aftermath of the April 16, 2007, rampage by a lone gunman that killed 32 Virginia Tech students and professors. It was the deadliest mass shooting on a college campus.

He will be joined by Kristina Anderson, a survivor of the shooting.

This event will feature a moderated discussion with Kapsidelis and Anderson, an audience question-and-answer session, and a book signing.

Tickets are $5 for Club members and $10 for the general public. When purchasing tickets online, attendees will also have the option of purchasing copies of the book at check-out.

The tragedy sparked a national debate on gun culture in the United States and safety on college campuses. Experiencing profound grief and trauma, and struggling to heal both physically and emotionally, many of the survivors from Virginia Tech and their supporters put themselves on the front lines to advocate for change. But Congress has refused to act.

Kapsidelis worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch for 28 years as both an editor and reporter. He is a fellow with the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities in Charlottesville.

Anderson was one of 25 people injured in the attack, shot three times as she sat in her French class. She created the Koshka Foundation for Safe Schools, a nonprofit dedicated to helping local community and school stakeholders work together to prevent, respond and heal in the aftermath of school violence.

Books will also be available for purchase at the event. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the nonprofit affiliate of the Club, the National Press Club Journalism Institute, so no outside books or memorabilia will be allowed.