Seventy nine people were killed in an attack on Garissa University College in Kenya on Thursday, April 2. The attackers were Islamic extremist that were enacting these killings in the name of their religion.

Three gunmen entered a building where roughly 360 students live, rounded up groups of people based on their religion, let the Muslim students go, and then began the killing. The gunman left the building and began shooting everyone they saw except for Muslim students. In total 79 people were killed and 70 were injured. More than 500 of the 815 students were rescued.

Two of the gunman were killed following the attack and another was arrested during an ongoing security operation.

“This is a moment for everyone throughout the country to be vigilant as we continue to confront and defeat our enemies,” President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said.

Many believe this attack stems from growing aggression between Kenya and Somalia after Kenya sent forces to Somalia to combat Al-Shabaab, an islamic militant group which has taken up force in Somalia and pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the world trade center.

Political repercussions aside this major tragedy must not be forgotten as Kenya moves into a period of confusion and mourning for those that lost their lives.