SportBiKeZ

DEKALB, Illinois (CNN) -- A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation into Thursday's shooting rampage at Northern Illinois University has identified the alleged gunman as Steven Kazmierczak. Paramedics rush a victim to a waiting ambulance following a shooting at Northern Illinois University. The official declined to be named Friday citing the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not publicly identified the gunman who opened fire on a geology class Thursday, shooting 21 people before turning the gun on himself. Six people were killed in addition to the shooter. The DeKalb County coroner's office identified four of the victims, all Illinois residents: Daniel Parmenter, 20, of Westchester; Catalina Garcia, 20, of Cicero; Ryanne Mace, 19, of Carpentersville; and Julianna Gehant, 32, of Meriden. University President John Peters said the gunman was a former graduate student who had a good record as an undergraduate, receiving a degree in sociology at the school in 2006. A preliminary investigation has not uncovered a police record on the gunman, and records showed he had no contact with university police while a student there, Peters said. "There's no indication that there was any trouble," Peters said.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the school honored the gunman two years ago for his research on the U.S. prison system, including a study of self-inflicted wounds among prisoners. He was a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Tribune reported. President Bush on Friday morning asked Americans "to offer their blessings -- blessings of comfort and blessings of strength" to the community at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, about 65 miles west of downtown Chicago.

A spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that some of its agents were on the scene to help police in the investigation. ATF agents could help trace the weapons used.

An FBI spokesman said bureau agents would assist as well.

All classes and events on the university campus were canceled until further notice. Dormitories remained open to house and feed students.

"I know what's happened, but I don't want to believe it," said Stefanie Miller, who saw two of her friends die in the Cole Hall shooting. Miller said the gunman came out from behind a curtain and opened fire, sending people screaming, running, and in many cases falling to the ground. It was like "a scene from a movie," she said.

 The man used a shotgun and at least one handgun, witnesses said. "A lot of people were screaming. Everybody started running for the door," said student Zach Seward.

"It was just complete chaos." Four died at the scene, including the shooter, and three later died at a hospital, officials said. Police Chief Donald Grady said authorities do not yet know of a motive. Late Thursday, dozens of students gathered on campus for a candlelight prayer vigil. Video footage showed students comforting one another and a young man playing guitar Seven counseling areas were set up, and hotlines were established.