A 22-year-old Lincoln High School graduate was among the 32 people slain yesterday at Virginia Tech, where he was pursuing a graduate degree in environmental engineering.

Today, Daniel Patrick O'Neil was described as a musician and songwriter whose philosophy of life was summed up in the Swahili phrase Hakuna Matata -- "no worries."

Paul Gallogly, a friend of O’Neil’s parents, issued a brief statement this afternoon:

"At this very difficult time, we are asking members of the media to respect our privacy, to be alone with our family and friends.’’

Daniel Patrick O'Neil, as he appeared in his 2002 Lincoln High School yearbook photo.

O’Neil's student listing on the Virginia Tech Web site gave his home address as 26 Fairmount Ave., Lincoln. He was the son of Jean and William O'Neil, who is the director of major giving at Connecticut College, according to a college spokesman.

The younger O'Neil graduated from Lafayette College last year with a degree in civil engineering.

According to one school publication, O’Neil was the vice president of the Arts Society while at Lafayette, was an active participant in intramural sports and a member of the Marquis Players, a student group that produced an annual charity musical.

Friends today described O'Neil as a talented guitar player and song writer, who had his own Web site, residenthippy.com.

O'Neil graduated from Lincoln High in 2002. According to his senior class yearbook, he was a member of the cross country and outdoor track teams, drama club and on the National Honor Society.

His senior photo includes the quote:

"Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. / Life ain't a track meet, it's a marathon."

He also wrote in his yearbook: “Never Stop Watching Disney.”

Indeed, one of the catch phrases in his entry is "Hakuna Matata." Those who’ve seen Disney’s 1994 animated movie “The Lion King” know what that means, translated roughly from Swahili to English:

“No worries.”

Governor Carcieri commented on O'Neil's death early this afternoon as he issued an order to lower state flags to half-staff to honor all victims of the tragedy. They will remain lowered until sunset on Sunday, according to the governor’s office.

“Like millions of people across the country, Rhode Islanders are stunned by the senseless acts of violence that occurred at Virginia Tech yesterday,” Carcieri said in a statement.

“Today, we are doubly saddened to learn that this massacre has claimed the life of a Rhode Islander. The thoughts and prayers of my wife Sue and I are with Daniel O'Neil, his family and friends, and with everyone who was affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.”

U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin said this afternoon that he is “profoundly saddened” to learn of the death of O’Neil.

"I know I join the nation in expressing my deepest sympathy to all those affected by yesterday's senseless tragedy at Virginia Tech. As we wait to hear the findings of the investigation, I am optimistic we can unite as a community to continue the important task of reducing gun violence,” Langevin said in a statement.

Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat, is confined to a wheelchair after a gun accident.

Lincoln Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond issued the following statement this afternoon:

"The community of Lincoln, Rhode Island, extends our heartfelt condolences and support to the O’Neil family upon learning of the tragic loss of Lincoln native Daniel O’Neil as a result of the horrific shooting of several Virginia Tech students.

"I would ask that you join all of us in keeping Daniel, his family, his friends, classmates, and the numerous other victims of this tragic incident in your thoughts and prayers. "

-- With reports from projo.com staff writers Kate Bramson and Michael P. McKinney, Journal staff writer Tom Mooney and the Associated Press