The Columbia County college student killed Monday during a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University was one of the first to die, officials say, and might have been trying to protect others.

Ryan Clark, 22, of Martinez, was a resident adviser on the fourth floor of West Ambler Johnston dormitory, a coed facility at the school.

"I heard that he (Ryan) heard a commotion and headed in the direction of said commotion and that's when he was shot, said Bryan Clark, the victim's twin brother. "At this point, nothing's been confirmed as far as I know."

Because his brother was a dorm resident adviser, it would make sense he would try to protect others, Bryan Clark said.

He also said today that his family plans to contact Virginia Tech officials to find out what happened. He said his family is trying to prepare funeral arrangements, possibly planning for a funeral for late this week.

An autopsy for Ryan Clark is scheduled for a medical examiner in Roanoke, Va. The body should then be returned to the family in Columbia County.

In the meantime, the area's community is responding to Ryan's death, with Lakeside High School planning to hold a memorial service at 4 p.m. Saturday for Ryan.

Lakeside Principal Jeff Carney said the service will be a time of remembrance for family and friend of Ryan. The family also is in the process of setting up an account for donations to offset the cost of the funeral, Dr. Carney said.

Also today, Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins, who was asked Monday to notify the victim's family, said he had heard some accounts that when Ryan Clark was found it appeared he was shielding the woman shot in the dorm.

Authorities have said that two hours after that shooting the gunman entered a classroom on the campus and began a second string of shootings. The shooter was identified Tuesday as 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui of South Korea, according to Associated Press reports.

No motive has been indicated so far, according to the AP, and Ryan's brother has said he hasn't heard why the incident occurred.

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