Dekalb, northern Illinois, and the rest of the United States were rocked on Valentine's Day 2008 when a shooter opened fire in a classroom at Cole Hall killing five students and injuring dozens more. He killed himself immediately after.

Today, Northern Illinois University faculty and students will honor the victims by the tolling of bells at 3:06 p.m. (the exact time the shooting began) and laying memorial wreaths. First responders will also be recognized, too, during the college's time of reflection.

There will also be an exhibit displaying items from around the world sent to NIU in the days after the tragedy, according to their website.

Forward, Together: Remembering
This exhibit, a tribute to the resilience of the NIU campus
community includes archival materials as well as items
sent and donated to NIU from around the world in the days
following February 14, 2008.

Northern Illinois University 2/14/2008 Shooting Victims:

Catalina Garcia,20, Cicero
Julianna Gehant, 32, Mendota
Ryanne Mace, 19, Carpentersville
Daniel Parmenter, 20, Westchester
Gayle Dubowski, 20. Carol Stream


Catch JB Love on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB’ on Q98.5 from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5