A student from Columbia County is among the dead at a Virginia college where the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history occurred Monday.

Ryan Clark, a student at Virginia Tech and a resident of Old Petersburg Road in Martinez, was fatally shot, said Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins. Mr. Clark is among at least 31 people who have been confirmed dead at Virginia Tech, including the shooter, who has not been named, according to Associated Press reports.

The shootings occurred at a coed dormitory and an engineering building on campus. Mr. Collins said he believes Mr. Clark was shot at the dormitory in the first string of shootings.

Mr. Clark is the son of Stan and Letitie Clark, of Martinez. Mr. Collins said Mr. Clark's family, including a twin brother, have been notified of his death.

Mr. Collins said an autopsy on Mr. Clark will be conducted by a medical examiner in Roanoke, Va.

"I'm sure it's going to take two or three days as many casualties that they have to do autopsies on each one," Mr. Collins said.

Reach Preston Sparks at 706-828-3904 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com