Dead Virginia Tech Students Demand Justice
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The tragic deaths that occurred at Virginia Tech demand justice. How can there be justice though when the shooter is dead ? The shooter wasn’t the only one that is responsible for the deaths. The people who are charged with the safety of the students are also to blame. Their failure demands some sort of retribution.
The students should have been told of the danger after the first shooting. The university officials had two hours to pass the word and lock down the school but they didn’t act. According to reports they only sent out an email to inform everyone of the situation because they assumed that it was an isolated incident. Two people get shot, on a crowded college campus, and the officials make assumptions instead of drawing conclusions based on fact and investigation. Its hard for me to imagine how they could have been more negligent.
At a minimum the university president needs to resign.
What do you think ?
Related:
the school has something like 26,000 students. they sent out an email and a phone message to every student on campus. it was simply impossible to reach that many students in 2 hours. they had no reason to think it wasn’t an isolated incident and did the best they could to alert the students. even if they could have told every student individually in some way, most probably would have made the same assumption, it was an isolated incident. horrific, but isolated. most would probably NOT have evactuated the campus assuming that what seemed like a domestic dispute gone horribly wrong was really a crazed gunman loose on campus. im’ sure there isn’t a school out there that has some kind of campus-wide intercom system they could make the announcement on. how exactly would you have gone about making that kind of mass announcement other than by phone and email? should the university president have gone running around campus yelling it? and even if he did would it have stopped the gunman from firing? probably not. if his intention was to eventually turn the gun on himself he was in a state of mind most of us could not even begin to comprehend and nothing short of a bullet would have stopped him. it is a terrible terrible tragedy that i’m sure everyone in the country wishes could have been prevented in some way but truth be told the only people to blame are the gunman himself and anyone who may have known him and even thought he might be up to something and didn’t report it.
Comment by Anonymous — April 17, 2007 @ 11:39 am
local and state police are responsible for the safety of every person in every community but do we fire them every time they don’t catch a murderer before they kill? in the wake of this great tragedy let us not point the finger of blame for blame’s sake but instead reach out our hands to families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Comment by Anonymous — April 17, 2007 @ 11:44 am
I have to say that there really is no justice for a situation like this. The first focus needs to be on the victims, their families, the others who were wounded and the rest of the students and faculty. This is not the time to point the finger or place blame. What’s done is done. I’m am positive that NO ONE thought it would escalate into the situation that it did. Let the police and investigators proceed with their investigation,finish their job, and then everyone can sit back to look at all the flaws and come up with a new disaster plan. I believe that the students, families and alumnae are very intelligent people and will make sure that measures are in place to ensure that this never happens again. But, really there is no guarantee in our society anymore. Lines have been crossed and we can never go back. The respect for a human life has been severely diminished over the past 20-30 years and I honestly don’t know how to fix it. It’s all cyclical - the decline in respect for life, the minimal assistance available to those with mental health issues, the phobia attached to persons with mental health disorders, the rage being felt by our youth, the availability of guns. You can’t place blame on one aspect and not the others. I do agree that a siren system should be in place on all campuses with a simple meaning to go into lockdown mode. Wouldn’t that be the easiest and first concern we could address - some type of warning system. My prayers and my heart stay with all those involved and for those who have died, it is not in vain! We will learn from this and this has a lasting meaning that our country will never forget. God bless Virginia Tech!
Comment by darla tullis — April 17, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
My prayers and thoughts go to each loved one that is left trying to deal with their loved ones death or injury in this tragedy. We know someone who barely missed the bullets as she watched friends get shot. I do think that between the authorities, campus staff and university president, they had the responsibility to all students to warn everyone by announcements, lock downs, alarms, and police car bull horns to stay inside and lock all doors whether they felt this was an isolated incident or not. This may have caused panic but it would have saved lives! How many people have the time to look at their e-mail for warnings of a masacre before they go to school. A warning flag should have also went up to the teacher and staff who noticed that this student had mental issues and they should have been dealt with immediately. Although this kind of a tragedy could happen anywhere, I have been told this is the second time in history this has happened at this college which tells me they don’t take it seriously.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL WHO HAVE LOST.
Comment by Karen — April 17, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
04/17/2007
Stuart Lokke
Stuart.Lokke@ctuonline.edu
As a student, my heart goes out to the student body of Virginia Tech and those families that have suffered a great loss by this scentless tragedy; I speak for everyone at Colorado Technical University, when I offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to all of you in the wake of this “Horrific” tragedy.
Truly yours,
Stuart Lokke
Comment by stuart lokke — April 18, 2007 @ 2:09 am
God help us all! May our prayer’s reach you and console you and give you strength!
Our own son’s our on college campus at this very time and we are devistated by your loss.
The brilliant stars of our youth the talented professors who shared their knowlege and spirit.
they are now angels that will guide us in God’s masterplan.
I know that this man was mentally ill and it was very evident and acknowleged by hindsight.
These children go straight to an entirely adult word after leaving high school and then have to
find were they fit into this extremely high pressure situation. I really believe counselors that
should be aware of any students on medications for depression should do the job that they
are paid to do by monitoring these high risk students. Parents of these students should be in
contact of any changes in behavior, especially in the case of the this gunman. Had his parents
known how angry and depressed this boy was?I am quite sure they are also out of their minds
with horror. I have read comments of blogs that state that his ethnic backround was the reason
for his actions.I believe that he planned a paranoid halacaust that encompassted all ethnic
backrounds and gender, and violence and slaughter was the reason. Our world is so
blind to the fact that the brain can have as many malfunctions as illness such as heart disease,
diabetes etc… but we are afraid to get someone help. Ignore the warning signs and horrific
senerios like this will play out over and over again.
Hospitalization has become almost impossible to get for the mentally ill unless they cause
harm to themselves or others and that is when it is too late for both parties.
What can be said about the way it was handled? What can you do when a mentally ill
person can get his hands on a Glock or a machine gun? This generation is backwards; wrong
is right and right is wrong. The officals are not prepared to handle these situations that is evident.
I pray this never happens again. I want families of the students to know we love them
and our praying for them with our deepest sorrow. God Bless You!!!!
Comment by karen — April 18, 2007 @ 2:48 am
I am sure everyone is looking for answers. Will we ever get them? Right now, I feel the best thing to do is support in any way possible, the families that are suffering. I heard someone say yesterday that words right now probably dont do much to ease the pain. Action always speaks louder than words. Let’s come together with action.
Comment by george loomis — April 18, 2007 @ 4:39 am
‘ONLY ONE LIFE THAT SOON IS PASSED
ONLY WHAT’S DONE WITH LOVE WILL LAST’
Comment by Anonymous — April 18, 2007 @ 5:13 am
My heart goes out to all of you.
Having said this, I think the president of your school should be fired! This could have been prevented!!!!
Comment by Denise — April 18, 2007 @ 6:03 am
My heart and prayers are with all If i could have taken there place i would have,THEY WERE LUCKY TO BEEN SMART AND HAD THE MONEY TOO GO TO COLLAGE,I am just a little old person.all i can do is give my life for them.they had much more to give to the world.i pray that the father will bless them all and help and teach with a whole new masson in there lives.j.helton
Comment by eloise helton — April 18, 2007 @ 6:08 am
Come on people, why does everyone have to point fingers when something like this happens– a serious flaw with our society.
If lock-down occured, do you think he would have waited 2 hours to move on with additional killings?- absolutely not. He would have gone right on with his work and done it sooner. He was obviously on a mission to destroy as many lives as he could.
We always speculate on doing things differently, but never consider that the perpetrator would act and react diffently as well.
What will you prove by running around firing people. Is this revenge you’re seeking or just lashing out at the next best target? It’s horrific what heppened here, but firing people won’t bring them back.
We live in a very demented, immoral society, where more and more people are snapping and going off. As disgusting as it is, I don’t see this type of behavior ending anytime soon. The only way to keep our students and faculty (at all levels) safe is to treat campuses as a military base– fence it in, guard it well, and require all be searched (just as an airport would ) upon entering. But again, our perpetrators will change their ‘modus operandi’ and start going to malls, churches, or wherever they can lash out and make a statement.
Maybe inviting God back into our society isn’t such a bad idea?
Comment by Joe — April 18, 2007 @ 6:55 am
My heart goes out to each and everyone at Virginia Tech. I greive with each of you. Just know that you are in my prayers . words cannot express the way I feel. I’m saddened so deep. Just love one another and be there for each other.
Comment by Sharon — April 18, 2007 @ 10:21 am
The problem was identified. No one chose to do anything about it (The university Police and Administrators). The instructor notified campus authorities about this student. Even had guards standing at the classroom door, and no one did nothing about this student. It is just awful that this had to come to this. No one should be trying to figure out why? You know why?
Comment by Susan Knight — April 18, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Just want to send prayers to the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy, and to the entire staff and students of VT. I seen that there are alot of blame,anger,confusion in the other comments. The blame should be on the person that committed this horrible tragedy, and he is paying his price in Hell.
Comment by Private — April 18, 2007 @ 10:29 am
I think that what happened at Virginia Tech was a very tragic and horrendous event. We all mourn and wish the best to the families of the victim; however, we should also send some wishes to the family of the killer. I know that this may sound like excusing or whatever; but I am sure that his family is as distraut about what has happened and surely blamed themselves for not forseeing what their child was going to do. Parents feeling guilty because they couldn’t talk to their child and find out what’s truly going on in his mind. The teachers that saw signs of “troubled” behaivior and whether they took action or not; should have consistently try to seek help for this individual. Sure, you can take someone out of school for a violent gesture, but to what extent and who would’ve known that this type of action will take place. Not only that , especially for the mothers whom all lost their children, it’s absolutely a crime incapeable of forgiveness. I wish you all luck and please know that I am thinking of your children and loved ones.
It’s extremely sad how not only will 33 families will be mourning, but as a whole nation…April 20, 2007; 12 more family and friends of those involved in both shooting — Columbine and Virginia Tech — will be mourning. Let’s all take a moment of silence to remember and to prevent future shootings, talk to our kids or parents. At the very first sign of any troubled behavior; one should be evaluated for psychiatric treatment and counseling.
Comment by Casey — April 18, 2007 @ 10:34 am
God Bless all of the families of the victims of this horrible tragedy… It makes us all wonder I’m sure at what point of Cho’s life could intervention prevented this from happening. What caused a person to end up so angry to do this to innocent souls? Makes us all look at our classmates, coworker, neighbors, anyone in general that have no friends, the one’s that are socially not accepted, just take the time to befriend these individuals, We need to love and respect eachother. Everyone deserves a chance to be noticed for who they are inside, not just what you may see on the outside. Don’t judge anyone. God will deal with Cho, and he will pay for what he has done to all. We are all human and we all have feelings. Maybe if you befriend a lost soul now, it may make a huge difference in their life and possibly prevent that person from getting to the point Cho did. There is no excuse for what he did, and no one is responsible for this but him. But we all know at some point we have ignored, laughed, and judged someone based on first impression. We will always wonder what could have been done, but now, we need to do our best to prevent someone from getting to this point again just by giving love and compassion.
Love to all
Comment by Anonymous — April 18, 2007 @ 10:55 am
We pray for you daily and our hearts go out to you. ” And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We hope and pray that your broken hearts will be comforted by the Holy Spirit always and forever.
Comment by Lee Whitaker — April 18, 2007 @ 11:21 am
It seems to me in today’s high tech world we would have a better way of preventing something like this. Cho had problems that were noticed by several staff and students. Just because he never harmed anyone in the past why were his issue so over looked by staff. Stronger measures should have been taken. I have worked with employees I thought had issues and nothing has been done, so I guess we will all wait and see what will happen!!!!!! I will pray for all the families. God will take care of Cho!!!!!
Comment by CJ — April 18, 2007 @ 11:36 am
We are deeply grieved by the tragedy that occurred on your campus. As a grandmother, who has a grandchild in college, I cann’t imagine the deep pain you are feeling. About the university president, I do not believe he should be fired. I am sure that he is broken-hearted about what has happened. Along with our prayers for comfort for the families suffering such deep losses, we also hold the president and his staff up in prayer. The students have shown such a depth of togetherness and I salute you!
Submitted by Billie (no last name, please)
Comment by Billie — April 18, 2007 @ 11:45 am
whats up with that what is the world comming to theres a war going on and now we have some stupied guy coming to a school and killing 32 and himself
Comment by cow — April 18, 2007 @ 11:53 am
may . god bless all families, students teachers and friends of vt. i just wish that when when bring a important message to someone attention at scholl as that they wouldt take that very serious the next time. that is so cruel what happened my heart goes out to the famly of the student that are missed and sorry to hear that. i hope there is never a shooting like that again in the schools or colleges may the lordbless all involved.
Comment by commet annynmous@100 — April 18, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
i just got word that there was a minority report supressed by VT officials immediately preceding the incidents
Comment by yacht captain — April 18, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
I want to say I don’t think it eas fare that the University kept QUIET about the first shooting, cause had students known about what happened earlier, alot of lives could have been saved! Because some would have at least had a choice whether they wanted to stay/leave due to the incident that took place and that choice was not given to them!!! My Prayers are with all, and pray because only GOD can heal your broken hearts.
Comment by Iesha — April 18, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
HAVING GROWN UP IN AN URBAN CITY 30 MINS FROM NYC, I DREAMED ABOUT LIVING IN A PLACE LIKE BLACKSBURG, IT JUST GOES TO SHOW THE VIOLENCE IS EVERY WHERE, YOU CAN’T GET AWAY FROM IT. WHAT HAS HAPPEN TO OUR WORLD.
NOW ITS COMMING OUT THAT THIS YOUNG MAN HAD MENTAL HEATH ISSUES, WHERE WERE THE PEOPLE WHO WHERE SUPPOSED TO HELP HIM, WE ARE SO INVOLVED IN THE ISSUES OF OTHER COUNTRYS, AS A COUNTRY WE HAVE LOST CONTACT WITH WHAT IS REALLY INPORTANT IN LIFE
Comment by BEVERLY ROBINSON — April 18, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
No one is to blame. All are to blame. Who could have read the mind of this person? All the talking heads will try to explain, they cannot, they will certainly try.
There is no sense to this, that’s why it cannot be explained. Some will say, it’s the violence in movies, video games, but fail (or do not want to admit) maybe it came from the violence they see on the news, or in their everyday life. Constantly!
People stop and watch, (the young see us watching and discussing). It does not matter to them whether we decry the violence, some of our young only see we’re paying attention, and to some, whether for good or bad, this attention is better than none.
Most people today know that movies and video games are not real. But what comes on the news is real (most feel this way).
The majority of people are followers, they ape each other. There are few good leaders, most of the ones we choose look good, sound good, but they are not good for us as a whole.
We listen to the parents, teachers, political leaders, news commentators, and last but not least the talking heads being rude and nasty to each other, yet we expect our young to be better than they??
Wake up America. People were given a brain that works, why not use it. The Bible quotes, I have given you talents, if you do not use them, I will take them away? Not an exact quote, but something similar.
In closing, to those who lost dear ones in any violence. No words can bring you healing, only time and God. I finish with these words spoken so many times, “they are gone but not forgotten.” Please Remember Them!
Comment by Barbara — April 18, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
As a student who’s school suffered a smaller but similar incident in January I know how easy it is to blame those in charge. I know the anger and misunderstanding that can be turned into a dangerous fuel that separates a community that more than anything right now just needs to be together. The most important thing to do at a time like this is offer support, understanding and love for those effected by the incident. Blame cannot save anyone. Blame will not bring back those lost. I support all those at Virginia Tech with my heart, prayers and thoughts. May you find peace in a world so shaken by violence.
Comment by Sarah — April 18, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
Anger is part of the grieving process. Firing someone will not help in bringing a beloved one back to earth. I feel the school did everything they could at the time it happened. I wish this horrific tragedy didn’t occur, but God only takes the prettiest flowers to Heaven.
May time, love and sharing console some of your pain. My heart goes out to all of you.
A warm hug is being sent from New Jersey.
Comment by Iris — April 18, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
I just want to say that in times like this its best to help Keep your heart open to the victims and family and friends of all the victims. Rarely do people get the oppertunity to reach out to many hurt in tragedys like this, so I hope that if and when you do, you make sure they know that your hearts go out to them. I know everybody in Nebraska sends theirs.
Comment by Chabre Johnson — April 19, 2007 @ 6:06 am
my heart and prayers go out to everyone
Comment by teri — April 19, 2007 @ 8:24 am
I just want to pass along my hopes and prayers for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. I am so sorry for what you are all going through. Stay strong.
Comment by morgan — April 19, 2007 @ 8:24 am
I am so sorry about what happend and i will be praying for the students that have friends that were shot or have an enjury also for the families that have childerens at the colledge so be Blessed and may God bless you.Love Veronica Kemp.
Comment by Veronica Kemp — April 19, 2007 @ 9:53 am
In these days and times, even with technology what it is, there was NO WAY in Hades that the staff at Virginia Tech could have reached the 26,000 students to warn them of what was happening. The one person responsible is dead.
It is not a time to try to place blame on staff there. It is a time for healing, prayer and reflection.
If you had known the shooter, what would you have done to help him or alert the staff. Most students and most people would have ignored the signs by saying “It is none of my business” or the ever popular “I don’t want to get involved.”
The bottom line, in my humble opinion, is that it is the fault of all of us and none of us. This will sound trite but “If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem” and that problem is apathy until a cataclysmic event of this magnatude shakes our reality and brings us to our knees.
Today we grieve. Tomorrow we grieve but what about next month or next year. This is an event that should not be forgotten and ALL of us have a need to become more involved in the lives around us and be aware when friends may need help, even if they do not want it.
We must take time to heal and it will take time but we must also commit to ourselves that we will be aware of those around us, not leary, but aware and help when we can and seek help for those when we cannot.
My heart bleeds for the families of those that have gone before their time. Their memories will live on in the hearts of those who knew them.
May God Bless and keep all of those families and provide comfort where there are no answers.
Comment by Ann Rothermel — April 19, 2007 @ 11:35 am
I was astonished after it was announced that 20 had been killed and the President of the University said classes would resume the next day. Is that all this guy had on his mind. A frozen leader like bush after 9/11.
Comment by chuck — April 19, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
I Love Choclate
Comment by Anonymous — April 19, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
i am so sorry for all the families that lost some one . i live in ohio and we are all just horrified with this news. our prayers go out to each and every one of you. it will be a long and ruff road to recovery. but what i have seen from the news the students andfaculity from virginia tech are very strong., god bless you all very much. i pray for you and your lost loved ones
Comment by rexanna — April 19, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
To all the victims of the virginia Tech Shootings My thought and prayers go out to all of you and yout famlies God bless all of you. Denise from bradley Beach New Jersey;
Comment by Denise — April 19, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
Words can’t express how we all are feeling.Not only did the students and teachers at Virgina Tech feel the pain and heartache so did the rest of the nation.I dont have a lot to say,but what little I do is, God has a purpose in all of our lives,i honestly believe those who died that day didnt die in vein.They will be remembered for what they did.I can only hope and pray that anyone out there that is feeling hate,anger,or revenge please take a second and look up.
Comment by kelly — April 19, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
why did that Korean guy do that now he’s making the Korean people look bad and that s not good.
Comment by Anonymous — April 19, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
This situation at Virginia Tech is so horrible, there are no words that can possibly convey how broken my heart is and how I pray that for those that are impacted by this, which obviously is in the 26,000 students and all the families, and obviously, most importantly the families of those killed or injured. There is no way to legislate people who are bent on doint these things. If he had been thrown out of Virginia Tech, he probably would have come back and done something worse, if that is possible. Remember our society has put into place many privacy laws, which means, we aren’t allowed to TELL many things that could be important as that might be thought of as an invasion of privacy. I do believe we can blame one portion of our society for these thinks. That is the liberals who think in this manner.I will never get over this, nor will anyone else. I pray that God will bring comfort and healing to all involved and to the President of your College and all the staff as well. This is heartbreaking.
Comment by Patricia A. Anderson — April 19, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
I do not think that we need to start the “blame game” in his horrible event. We need to think of the families and victims involved and pray for them. We need to send prayers to the President of Va.Tech and all the staff, the Police, the first responders, and all involed, the doctor’s and nurses who are caring for those injured, all the students there and those yet to come. You cannot legislate people like this. Remember it would be considered an invasion of privacy if anyone were to “tell”! The pendulum has started to swing in the wrong direction and we all need, as a Nation, to start getting it to swing back. There are no words for this. My heart is broken and I just want everyone to know that others do care.
Comment by Patricia A. Anderson — April 19, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
I just want to let all the parents that lost one of their kid in that incident, that no matter if their gone they will still love you n they do not want to see everybody sad. But i ask god what was going through this kid minds to kill alot of great young students that want to get somewhere in life. U think as soon as the teachers knew that the kid had special problems they should had expelled him from school. Well may all the people that died rest in peace. And we all know they with god in his hands. n im really sorry if you lost one of them. If you need any help you can always count on me. My email address is sexymexicana09@yahoo.com. i may be a young student but i can try my best to help something out with this situation. well HOPE EVERYBODY IS SAFE N JUST REMEBER THAT GOD WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS. AND I PRAY FOR THEM EVERYNIGHT BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP. IM REALLY SORRY.
Comment by CLAUDIA LOPEZ — April 19, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
the VT staff is not in charge of our safety. anyone under this impression needs to wake up and realize that the only person who can keep you safe is yourself.
I am a vt student, and in no way whatsoever am i under the persuasion that steger is responsible for keeping me alive or safe. our campus is in the middle of a town, it is open to the public, and easily accessible to anyone wanting to enter it or leave with anything they might want to bring in or take out with them. this is how i would prefer it. the increased police presence and security measures serve only to smother and worry me, not to alleviate any feelings of insecurity or danger i might feel.
as much as i feel for all of the people who have suffered or died in this situation, people die all of the time, and people suffer all of the time, and there is no preventing that. there is also no place for blame when the person committing the crime is no longer living. he was punished in my opinion, and this false sense of justice you are calling for is merely a reflection of desired revenge with a pretty little euphemism cloaking its realities.
Comment by alysha — October 13, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
This is a disgraceful story. But the shooter would havent gone this far if it wasnt it for the safety
of the students. This wouldnt of happened if they would of tried to try something. Death is a horrible thing to get over and bet it is hard on the family and friends back at home. They are trying to get though
this painful time together. Which personilally i dont think they should have too. They probaly think about it every single day of their lifes about what happened, who their friends or daughter or sons could
be today. They think there lifes were given to them and then ripped right out of their hands. I dont think
it was far. They were the chosen. But why? why would someone be so shameful too take someone
life. And then take there own. Its not what United States is about. Freedom is what United States is about and taking lifes from others. Now that is not freedom. That is hate.
Comment by Samantha — October 30, 2007 @ 2:58 pm