Timeline of NIU shooting

A man opened fire Thursday in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University, killing five people and wounding more than a dozen others before taking his own life. The following is a timeline of events:

2 p.m.: Geology 104 begins in a large lecture classroom in Cole Hall. More than 160 students are registered for the class.

Shortly after 3 p.m.: A man dressed in black and carrying a shotgun and two handguns steps out from hiding and begins a "very brief rapid-fire assault" before killing himself, says NIU President John Peters. Campus police are on the scene in "less than two minutes," says NIU Police Chief Donald Grady.

3:20 p.m.: Officials post a message on NIU’s Web site saying there is a report of a possible gunman on campus and warn students to "get to a safe area and take precautions until given the all clear."

3:40 p.m.: NIU officials say all classes are canceled and campus is closed.

3:50 p.m.: School officials confirm there has been a shooting on campus and several people have been taken away by ambulance. Officials urge people not to come to campus.

4:10 p.m.: Campus police report on the Web site that the scene is secure.

4:14 p.m.: Campus police say the immediate danger has passed and "the gunman is no longer a threat."

4:31 p.m.: NIU officials ask all students to call their parents as soon as possible.

5:12 p.m.: Police say at a news conference the shooter is dead by a self-inflicted gunshot.

5:43 p.m.: NIU officials say 18 victims have been transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. They say four victims are in critical condition.

7:58 p.m.: Peters confirms at a news conference that the gunman killed five people and wounded more than a dozen others before fatally shooting himself. He says there is no known motive.