Pine Mountain resident among Virginia Tech slaying victims (Updated)

Christopher James Bishop
Undated photo from his
web site.

35-year-old Professor Jamie Bishop of Pine Mountain was among the 33 killed -- including the gunman -- in Monday's mass slaying at Virginia Tech.

Bishop was the first person shot in the Norris Hall academic building.

Bishop was previously a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Georgia where he obtained bachelor and master's degrees in German.

"We don't have much happening here, as far as the bad stuff..." Steve Earles, a close friend of the family in Pine Mountain told GPB News.

"They'll be a lot of support and love through out Christian faith ... for the Bishops," offered Earles, who teaches Sunday School together with Michael Bishop, Jamie's father.

Pastor Matthew Mitchell of the First United Methodist Church, where the Bishop family attends services said the family were “devoted church-goers and a part of our community.” Mitchell said the community was “in shock” from the news, and characterized the family as, “well-known, well-loved - just wonderful people.”

A memorial service for Bishop will be held at the LaGrange College chapel at five PM on Tuesday. A candlelight vigil is planned for seven PM, at the church.

Jamie Bishop is survived by his wife, Steffie Hofer, his sister, Stephanie, and his parents, Michael and Jeri.

Steffie is also a German professor at Virginia Tech. Michael is a professor at LaGrange College and a highly-regarded science fiction writer, and Jeri is a counselor at Rosemont Elementary School in LaGrange.

The parents drove to Virginia Tech soon after receiving word of the shooting.

President George Bush is scheduled to attend a memorial service at the school today.

Another Georgia native -- freshman Ryan Fowler of Lincoln County in east Georgia -- was not in the dorm where the first two victims were killed, because he had an early-morning meeting.

Bishop's professional website is here: http://www.memory39.com/

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.