Massacre Probe Findings Released

Va. Tech's response to the horrific events of April 16, 2007 is being criticized following the release of an independent eight-person panel's findings. In the days and weeks after the massacre carried out by student Sueng-Hui Cho, Va. Gov. Timothy Kaine appointed a panel of experts and investigators to probe into the day's events. On August 29, 2007, the report was released, bringing new light to the issues surrounding the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

The report, based on more than 200 interviews, and countless amounts of research, concludes that Va. Tech officials could have saved lives, had they notified students and faculty more quickly about the murders of two students on campus the morning of April 16. Those two murders were the prequel to a full-out rampage, in which Sueng-Hui Cho callously murdered 30 more people before killing himself.

The panel found that officials wrongly focused the initial double murder investigation around the boyfriend of one of the first victims, and assumed their suspected gunman was no longer on campus. "They did not take sufficient action to deal with what might happen if the initial lead proved erroneous," states the report.

Instead, the report concludes that campus police should have immediately warned students and faculty about the shootings, and canceled classes. However, the report concludes that nothing the university could have done -- not even locking down the campus following the first shootings -- could have prevented the day's ghastly events.

Panel's Findings On Troubled Cho

Additionally, the panel found that Cho did not receive proper treatment from counselors at Va. Tech's Cook Counseling Center, despite a judge's order for treatment in 2005, which Cho followed. According to the report, the counseling center "failed to provide needed support and services to Cho."

Disturbing details of Cho's personality emerged in the report as well, including the mass murderer's fascination with the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. It was in middle school that the panel says Cho began writing about murder and suicide, even expressing a desire to "repeat Columbine." Later, the report says Cho wrote a school paper about a school shooting, which reportedly bore similarities to some aspects of his rampage at Va. Tech. His high school guidance counselor and his parents feared Va. Tech was not a good fit for Cho -- according to the report, the university's size and environment were not ideal for troubled Cho, who would probably not receive adequate individual attention.

Cho's Disorder

According to the panel, Cho suffered from selective mutism, an anxiety disorder and emotional disability which denied him the ability to speak in social situations. Cho was reportedly treated effectively while in his Fairfax County, Va. high school, but things went downhill after he stopped receiving treatment at college. The panel noted, however, that federal privacy laws forbid high schools from giving private information regarding students' disabilities.

Following the April 16 massacre, the nation learned that several red flags were raised throughout Cho's time at Va. Tech -- including violent writings in his classes, bizarre behavior, and several "stalking" incidents. Professors who'd taught Cho came forward with disturbing details about his classroom behavior, saying they'd reported their worries to administration. But nothing was done. The report cites the university's failure to connect the dots as the reason the warnings were not properly heeded.

According to the report, there was a misinterpretation of federal privacy laws, leading them to keep Cho's mental health information under wraps. But in reality, "federal laws and their state counterparts afford ample leeway to share information in potentially dangerous situations," according to the report.

The system failed for lack of resources, incorrect interpretation of privacy laws, and passivity," the report states.

Virginia Tech Gunman No Stranger To University Police

America's Most Wanted would like to pause during these troubling times to express our heartfelt condolences to the families whose children were killed during the shooting rampage at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. These children have become the nation's sons and daughters as we collectively grieve over the senseless loss of life and stand shoulder to shoulder vowing to prevent this from ever happening again.

In a press conference at Virginia Tech on April 18, University Police spelled out the contact Cho Seung-Hui had with police.  It began on November 27, 2005 when a female student reported that Cho had contacted her by phone. The call was harassing as much as annoying.  The female declined to press charges.

A month later, on December 13, 2005, another female student received unwanted instant messages from Cho.  Again, the student contact University Police who met with Cho.  In the end, Cho was referred to mental health professionals because Cho told friends he was suicidal.  University Police believe Cho was sent to the St. Alban's facility near Radford, Virginia and he was eventually released.  That was the extent of contact law enforcement had with Cho.

The 23-year-old English major was living on campus in Harper Hall, and left what authorities described as a "horrific crime scene." Authorities also said that Cho was acquainted with the female victim from West Ambler Johnston Hall.

Witnesses say Cho wore jeans, a black military-style vest, and a maroon hat during the massacre, in which he reportedly used a 9mm semi-automatic and a .22-caliber weapon.  Witnesses say there were belts of ammunition strapped across his chest. According to a search warrant issued to comb through Harper Hall for clues, cops discovered Cho had recently purchased one of the handguns at a firearms store in Roanoke, Va.

Reports say Cho's fingerprints were found on both guns used in the deadly shootings. Cho was also reportedly carrying a backpack containing receipts for a Glock 9-mm pistol, which was purchased in March.

Authorities released small pieces of information about the crime scene, saying the Norris Hall scene covered four classrooms and a stairwell. There are news reports that Cho committed the murders in West Ambler Johnston, returned to his own dorm to reload, then went to Norris Hall, but cops have no determined the validity of that account. There, cops say the doors had been chained shut from the inside -- indicating Cho had planned the attacks and hadn't wanted anyone to get inside the building once the shooting began.

According to ATF officials, ballistics evidence from both shooting sites match. Authorities don't believe there was a second shooter, but that there may have been an accomplice. They're sorting through all the evidence looking for a link to another individual. But one question law enforcement have not been able to answer is why Cho chose those two buildings to attack and establish any relationship between Cho and his victims.

Warning Signs

According to the Chicago Tribune, Cho left a note in his dorm room railing against "rich kids," "debauchery," and "deceitful charlatans," on the college campus. Cho reportedly had the words "Ismail Ax" written in red ink on the inside of his arm. The Trib also reported that Cho may have been taking anti-depressants, and had shown signs of violence, including setting a fire in a dorm room and allegedly stalking women.

And in recent developments, Cho gave the world one final, intimate glimpse into his fragmented universe. NBC News announced Wednesday it had received a package from Cho. The news agency says the parcel contained photos, videos and a chilling letter. And in a strange twist, it appears that Cho took a break from his alleged shooting spree to send the package.

Some of the photos show Cho posing with handguns and weapons. But the video offers a glimpse into Cho's mind.

Looking into the camera, Cho states, "When the time came I did it, I had to." He goes on to say: "You have vandalized my heart, raped my soul and torched my conscience. You thought it was one pathetic boy's life you were extinguishing. Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people."

Cho also makes references to the shootings at Columbine High School and refers to the shooters in that incident as "martyrs."

After examining the package, detectives say it appears Cho sent it via overnight delivery, but it arrived late at NBC because it had the incorrect ZIP code. A stamp on the outside of the envelope shows that Cho sent it at 9:01 a.m. on Monday.

And detectives say that in itself explains why the Cho may have disappeared for a period of time between the first shootings in the dormitory and the shootings that occured later in classroom building.

Investigators believe it's possible Cho may have tried to reach other news agencies

Confirmed Victims

Confirmed Deceased:
Editor's Note: This is only a partial list of victims and their information. AMW.COM will be updated as more information is released.

Students
*Ross Abdallah Alameddine, Sophomore (English) -- Saugus, Mass.
*Brian Bluhm, Graduate Student (Civil Engineering) -- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
*Ryan Clark, Senior (Biology, English, and Psychology) -- Martinez, Ga.
*Austin Cloyd, Freshman (International Studies and French) -- Blacksburg, Va.
*Matthew Gwaltney (Engineering) -- Chester, Va.
*Caitlin Hammaren, Sophomore (International Studies) -- Westtown, N.Y.
*Jeremy Herbstritt, Graduate Student (Civil Engineering) -- Bellefonte, Pa.
*Rachel Elizabeth Hill, Freshman -- Richmond, Va.
*Emily Hilscher, Freshman -- Woodville, Va.
*Matthew La Porte, Freshman (University Studies) -- Dumont, N.J.
*Jarrett Lane, Senior (Civil Engineering) -- Narrows, Va.
*Henry Lee, Freshman (Computer Engineering) -- Roanoke, Va.
*Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan, Post Graduate Student (Civil Engineering) -- Medan, Indonesia
*Lauren McCain -- Hampton, Va.
*Daniel O'Neil, Graduate Student (Environmental Engineering) -- Lincoln, R.I.
*Juan Ortiz, Graduate Student (Civil Engineering) -- Puerto Rico
*Minal Panchal, Graduate Student (Building Sciences) -- Mumbai, India
*Daniel Perez Cueva (International Relations) -- Lima, Peru
*Erin Peterson, Freshman -- Centreville, Va.
*Michael Steven Phole, Jr., Senior (Biological Sciences) -- Raritan Township, N.J.
*Julia Pryde, Graduate Student (Biological Sciences) -- Middletown, N.J.
*Waleed Shaalan
*Mary Karen Read, Freshman -- Annandale, Va.
*Reema Samaha, Freshman -- Centreville, Va.
*Leslie Sherman, Sophomore (History and International Studies) -- Springfield, Va.
*Maxine Turner, Senior (Chemical Engineering) -- Vienna, Va.
*Nicole White, Junior (International Studies and German) -- Carrollton, Va.

Faculty
*Christopher Jamie Bishop, Instructor (Foreign Languages and Literatures)
*Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, Professor (Foreign Languages)
*Kevin Granata, Professor (Engineering Science and Mechanics)
*Liviu Librescu, Professor (Engineering Science and Mechanics)
*G.V. Loganathan, Professor (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Hokie Nation Chimes In

The entire country and even the world is reeling from what happened in Blacksburg, Va. But obviously, no group is affected more than the Virginia Tech community. Below are accounts and thoughts from those people whose lives have been changed forever:

"I'm 25 years graduated from Tech, but I feel like I was there yesterday. I was born in raised in suburban Pittsburgh, but I grew up at Virginia Tech. It's the place that allowed me to mature, allowed me to grow up, allowed me to define what my life was going to be. I owe every ounce of success I have in this life to the people, profs, and environment of Virginia Tech. 

"Joe Kusterer, Lib (Reardon) Terwilliger, John & Jean Sofia, Professors Aicha Riad, Robert Stevenson, Virginia McWhorter, Adit Singh...I owe them everything. I have lived all around this country, but Blacksburg is the closest thing to home. The thing that upsets me more is that the innocence of our little slice of heaven is gone. I tried to describe things to the many, many friends and neighbors that called last night, and the best I could do was say...'Imagine living in a real Mayberry.'

"There was a sweetness to Tech that you can't understand unless you have Orange and Maroon in your veins. The quality of a Hokie and the real essence of our motto "Ut Prosim, That I may Serve" really is showing. The pride with which the students and administration stand in front of the camera, the need to wear your colors at such a dark time, the concern for those around you before yourself, is very evident. "The goodness of humanity will show itself in that darkest of times" is something said to me yesterday. How true. Everyone is a Hokie today. The outpouring to me, and I had no one directly involved or even in Blacksburg, is stunning. There are good people everywhere. That's hard to see though when the light is bright.
     - John Dzurko

=======================================================================

"As a member of the Virginia Tech class of 2010, I personally feel that the situation that unfolded on 4/16/2007 was handled in the best way possible. While many of the people with a large voice are calling for the heads of Charles Steger and Police Chief Flinchum, my fellow students and I seem to agree that this is the opposite of what many people wish to see. While it is easy to blame those in charge, they are not at fault in this case. People should allow the Virginia Tech family (classmates and blood related) to mourn the losses of 32 of the nations brightest.

"We are Hokies. And as Hokies we need to continue to persevere in any way possible. Now is the time to show the nation what it means to be a Hokie.
     - Christopher Smith
       Virginia Tech 2010

=======================================================================

I had Dr. Librescu for dynamics my sophomore year at VT. He was one of the most difficult professors I ever had, but he was not a difficult person. He always had a smile on his face. He would be writing on the board at 100 mph and at the conclusion, with a wave of his chalked hand declare, "it's so simple!"

If only it were so.

Corey D. Hall 

=======================================================================

Well, I expected to come home last night and update my blog with a bunch of great stories from a great vacation. They will come later. My world has been turned upside down.

My favorite preacher says he has a hard time understanding a God who would condemn his most favored creations to an eternal torment (with him there). But, everyday, he sees people who choose to bring hell (or alternately heaven) to this earth. So, he supposes, people could choose hell for themselves. Yesterday, someone chose to bring hell to my slice of heaven on earth.

Very few people who know me, even only a little bit, don't know about my love of my alma mater and Blacksburg. I was born a few miles up the road, and my parents took me for walks on campus long before I can remember. This is the place I grew up, became my own person, met my lifetime best friends. I spend a lot of time and money travelling back to Blacksburg every fall to support the football team.

Watching the news last night, they were looking for someone to blame. Since the perpetrator took his own life, I guess we need to find another's head to serve up on a platter. They wanted to blame Virginia's lax gun laws or the laws prohibiting concealed weapons on campus. They wanted to blame the police or President Steger for not reacting to the first incident.

I'm not interested in blame. How, then should, we react? The first thing I will do tonight is hug my wife and tell her how much I love her. And call my parents and sisters and tell them the same. Then I will head to my other alma mater (NC State) who is having a candlelight vigil tonight.

We all have had dreams for Tech. President Steger has dreams of Tech as a top 20 Research Institution. Many dream of football or basketball national chapionships. I've dreamed of working or retiring there. Now Tech will always be known for the Virginia Tech Massacre. Not the stuff of dreams. I hope these other dreams will persist.

If this happened at Tech for any reason, it's because we're one of the best equipped university communities to handle this sort of thing. We already had each other in our hearts. We already had a heart for service (Ut Prosim: That I may service). We've lost more students and alumni in armed conflict than any other university other than the service academy.

Thanks to all who have expressed their condolences. The university community needs your continued prayers.

Chris McDowell
Class of 1992

=======================================================================

Virginia Tech to me is home, a safe place, like your parents' house. A place where no harm comes to you and all your memories are fond. If something happens at home, you feel violated like something of yours has been taken. I guess that's how I feel right now. Like the fuzzy memories of my home have been damaged.

Jason Soules
VT (AE '00)

=======================================================================

Blacksburg was a place I called home for four years. It is place I have gone back to every year since I have graduated in 1997. I never feel like I have left when I go back. I am proud to be a HOKIE. Being a HOKIE is more than just having gone to and graduated from Virginia Tech, it is about community and love. It is about making friends and becoming close with the people you are with. It is "UT Prosim." Those students and faculty members who died will not be forgotten. I will never forget this day as it comes so close to my 32nd birthday (the number of lives that were taken). We will always remember their spirit and their love. They are HOKIES.

Amongst this tragedy, we as the nation, the extended HOKIE Nation need to focus on healing and not pointing fingers at when a warning could have gone out, we need to focus on helping our community grow and heal. If any community can, the HOKIE community can. Hokies are strong, and as a community, we can support each other through it. There are HOKIES all over the country and world waiting to help each other out.

Not only did the news rip through the lives of those affected on the campus, but it also affected the lives of the alumni across the world. I do not know anyone personally that was killed, but as a former Marching Virginian, and one who hangs out with many former Highty Tighties, I feel like members of my extended family were ripped from me, and it hurts. I know in time things will get better, but I know the support of my Virginia Tech community will make it easier. My love and prayers go out to everyone.

Jenna Duffy
Arlington, VA
Class 1997

=======================================================================

On my Myspace Page, I say I bleed "Maroon & Orange" on my Headline which exemplifies my passion for the school. I would never want any other colors to be bled but yet, our world has seen that ugly color Red yesterday. And it was shown on the campus of an ideal college town - mine. I have experienced many trips as alumnus to see Football and B-ball Games from 8 Hours away. I am proud to be alum & to represent my degree on my resume, but since the horrific senselessness has left me feeling a whole wide range of emotions. Especially when I love to represent the school from afar and to see them in the headlines (for all the right reasons) but what do you say to having your target of passion be shown in this manner all over the world? How One Lone person could ruin so much and so many peoples lives and to tarnish an outstanding ACC institution.

A lot of people, both in and out of the Hokie Nation want to second guess the administration and authorities on how this could have been prevented or been handled better, but it is all too late for that and really secondary at this point. As I struggle to function at work because of my emotions and my need to monitor what has happened (had a class from one of the deceased professors) & let myself be consumed by this, it occurs to me that everyone around me is moving and going on with their real life - unrelated to this event and unknowing of what it means to bleed "Maroon & Orange".

I know that the Hokie Nation is strong and exemplary, but I want others to now see that. Blacksburg is what the college experience is about. That is all I want out of this now and I hope the 2nd-guessers will see that as well. Is it odd to ask for this? I can't ask for those lives to come back but only honor their precious time here. So as everything/everyone around me doesn't feel my exact pain, I will realize at one point that life MUST go on and I will be happy to do that as a HOKIE wearing the Maroon & Orange for others to see. It will always be my honor to wear & bleed them from now until I once leave this great planet. As a Proud Hokie one can only rise respectfully above this brutal tragedy. Being alum from Virginia Tech will still be remembered for something better than 4-16-2007.

We all have to remember there are better ways to live and to show that to each other from now on.

We need to get on as a better version of humankind than what is shown in this type of a news occurrence.

Thanks for your eyes but feel it in your soul,

Scott Bender
Proud Alumnus
Attended 1994-1999

======================================================================= When people sarcastically ask me "What IS a Hokie?" I generally launch into the pseudo-long story about O.M. Stull winning a $5 prize in the late 1800's for coming up with the new cheer to accompany the school's new colors of Orange & Maroon. When they ask me "What is this Hokie Spirit I've heard about?" I am momentarily perplexed that they don't have the same feeling at their own school.

I try to explain the sense of community we feel from the moment we move onto campus our freshman year. I try to explain the pride we all feel when we see the colors orange & maroon on ANY item, and I try to explain how Hokies just LOVE being Hokies. I'm never really sure that the person truly gets it. I try to explain my first experience with "Hokie Spirit." It was the summer before my senior year in high school, and I hadn't sent a single college application. But I was wearing a Virginia Tech t-shirt on a trip to an amusement park because I knew someone who was starting there in the fall. In the parking lot of the amusement park, I started wondering how to keep my wallet dry in the several water-related rides, when a total stranger came up and handed me a ziplock bag.

She too was wearing a VT shirt, and when I said thanks, she said, "Hokies stick together. I just LOVE the Hokie spirit!" And that was it, with the simple handing off of a plastic baggie, I knew that Virginia Tech was a special place. And I re-learned that again and again through my 4 years there, and 10 years since graduation. If at all humanly possible, Hokies will help not only other Hokies, but ANYONE who needs a friend.

May God bless and spread the Hokie Spirit.

Lori Vintilescu
Class of 1996