www.roanoke.com

The Virginia Tech group Hokies United will be holding a ceremony Sept. 3 to celebrate the lives of two Virginia Tech students found shot to death in a Montgomery County park last week.

Heidi Childs, 18, of Forest and David Metzler, 19, of Lynchburg will be remembered in a ceremony on the university's Drillfield tonight at 7.

According to a release announcing the ceremony, it will take place near the War Memorial Chapel and consist of a moment of silence and reflection. This ceremony is open to all, and Hokies United members are encouraging every Hokie to join in remembrance.

Hokies United is a student-driven volunteer effort organized to respond to local, national, and international tragedies that may impact our students and community. The group launched following the tragic deaths of 32 students and faculty members on April 16, 2007.

-- The Roanoke Times

From today's Roanoke Times:

"The thought has crossed my mind before that I might be standing before Heidi one day with David at her side in front of a very large crowd," said Kent Gregory, student ministries pastor at Heritage Baptist, as he looked out over the crowd of nearly 1,000. "But that was a different ceremony."

• Hundreds mourn slain Lynchburg teens: Virginia Tech students Heidi Childs and David Metzler were remembered as lively, fun, caring people before being buried beside each other Monday.
• Sheriff asks public for help in investigation: Anyone in the area of Caldwell Fields or the nearby shooting range Wednesday or Thursday is asked to call.

Follow the investigation here as it unfolds.