Gunman's 'beautiful' first victim

Emily Hilscher, who was the first person killed in the US university gun massacre carried out by Cho Seung-Hui

By Maureen Coleman

This is the 19-year-old girl with "the beautiful eyes and smile" who was the first victim of loner Cho Seung-Hui in the worst mass shooting in US history.

Emily Hilscher, known to her friends as Pixie, was gunned down by Cho Seung-Hui in her dormitory in West Ambler Johnston Hall at Virginia Tech.

It is understood her killer was obsessed with her, but police have said that there is no evidence to suggest the two ever had a romantic relationship.

Ms Hilscher was a freshman, studying Animal and Poultry Sciences.

Friends said she loved snowboarding, music, dancing and horseriding and was a keen animal lover.

Dozens of photographs of Ms Hilscher were posted on the website Facebook.com

One friend said: "She was so filled with life and always had something wonderful to say or was always making me smile."

An old school friend, Sarah Carle, said: "I truly loved and miss her and I know I will never forget her and her beautiful eyes and smile."

After shooting Ms Hilscher, the gunman turned his attention to 22-year-old Ryan Clarke and shot him dead.