SPRINGFIELD (Virginia, US), April 17: As flags across the United States flew at half mast in honour of the victims of America’s deadliest shooting spree, police identified the man who killed 33 people at Virginia Tech University as a South Korean student.

Cho Seung Hui, 23, a senior year English major at Virginia Tech, was a resident alien and lived on campus in Harper Residence Hall.

Some Virginia Tech students have indicated that the gunman who killed 33 people first killed his ex-girlfriend and her neighbour before turning his gun on others.The former girlfriend, Emily Jane Hilscher, 18, was killed on the fourth floor of a dormitory as the gunman unleashed his terror rampage. He then went onto kill Emily’s neighbour, 22-year-old Ryan Clark who had tried to help.

The Virginia Tech Police Department confirmed that Cho was responsible for the multiple fatalities at two separate places inside the campus on Monday and that ballistics match at both crime scenes.

At this time, police are not looking for a second shooter. However, they did not rule out the possibility that an accomplice may have been involved.

“So far, the evidence does not conclusively identify Cho Seung-Hui as the gunman at both locations,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “With this newfound ballistics evidence, we are now able to proceed to the next level of this complex investigation.”

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger told "Good Morning America's" television show that police had already interviewed one "person of interest".

A university spokesman Larry Hincker told reporters that Cho was “a loner” and they were having difficulty finding information about him.

Investigators said Cho had shown recent signs of violent, aberrant behavior, including setting fire in a dorm room and allegedly stalking some women. A note believed to have been written by Cho was found in his dorm room that railed against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus.

Investigators believe Cho at some point had been taking medication for depression. They are examining Cho's computer for more evidence.

The confirmation that the gunman was a South Korean brought relief to America’s Muslim community. Many Muslims were seen praying openly for their safety as they feared that a Muslim involvement could have led to widespread reprisals against the community.

The deceased were recovered from at least four classrooms on the second floor and a stairwell of Norris Hall. The gunman, who took his life, was discovered by police in a classroom among the victims.

Most of the victims were students but some teachers were also killed in the two shootings.

Meanwhile, President Bush has directed flags to remain at half mast through sunset Sunday, in honour of those killed.