Information uncovered, questions remain
Saira Haider and Kevin Anderson, CT News Staff
April 20 2007
The package of videos and photos gunman Cho Seung-Hui sent to NBC was reviewed by the police, but does not offer any new evidence or conclusions to the investigation.
Col. Steve Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, said that he knew the evidence would be vital, but that they had already secured most of this information during the investigation.
Although Flaherty appreciated NBC's cooperation, he was disappointed in the editorial decision to release the images and video to the public.
"I'm sorry you were all exposed to these images," Flaherty said.
What concerned him was that people had to see images that were absolutely disturbing.
"I just hate that a lot of folks that are not used to seeing that type of image had to see it," he said.
The package did explain where Cho was between the shootings in West Ambler-Johnston and Norris Hall.
David McGinnis, U.S. Postal Inspection Service external crimes ream leader said that the package was presented at approximately 9:01 a.m. on Monday, April 16, at a U.S. post office on 118 North Main Street in Blacksburg.
It was a busy time because many people were mailing in their tax returns, McGinnis said.
The address to NBC in New York was wrong on the package. An employee noticed that the zip code had six digits and corrected it. A carrier recognized the address that the package was intended for and delivered it properly, McGinnis said.
Flaherty said that it was NBC's idea to put the information out for the public.
Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said that he does not know if any of the video was filmed during the shootings, but he does think that it was done before April 16.
Mark McNamee, university provost, said in a press conference this morning that students would have choices for what they want to do to finish the remainder for the semester.
The university is working with the eight deans and the dean of the graduate school to develop a set of principles until the end of the semester.
"We have decided among ourselves that we are going to focus on the students first," McNamee said.
Identities of the rest of the victims were also released. The university will award all students who were killed in the shootings degrees for the regular commencement exercises they would have gone through with their friends.
"Obviously the most important thing we are trying to focus on is the care of the families that are left here," said Larry Hincker, university spokesperson.
Officials released the identities of more student victims this morning.
Questions about Cho's mental health were brought up concerning the universities' and the state's involvement in his counseling and mental health care.
Chris Flynn, director of the Cook Counseling Center, said that the court order for counseling was not directed to the university and Virginia Tech is not a part of the mental health system for the state or the implementation of dealing with mental health patients, Flynn said.
Flynn said that he also thought that the issue for not keeping watch on a mental health patient like Cho could be related to decreased funding in the state for mental health. Ed Spencer, associate vice president of student affairs, said that the roommates of Cho never expressed concern of violence or danger. He also explained how he was thinking of a specific mental health book that says there can be thoughts inside people's heads that no one can see.
"I think that gives you an idea of what mental illness can be like," Spencer said.
Flaherty said that they are working on wrapping up the investigation. He clarified that he had not spoken with Cho's parents and does not know if anyone in the investigation has.
At this point, Cho's body has not been released, said John Marshall, secretary of public safety.
Governor Tim Kaine announced his intention to set up a review board. Hincker said that he does not know when it will come together.
At a second press conference Associate Vice President of University Relations Larry Hincker discussed Hincker addressed the future and expressed his sorrow for the university.
"From my university's standpoint we have got to move forward," he said. "We will do whatever we can to get this place on its feet again to prevent anything like it to ever happen again."
He also discussed operational issues pertaining to the rest of the weekend and semester. There will be a joint information center set up somewhere on campus to release further information about any developments.
Authorities are unsure about whether or not Norris Hall will remain on campus.
In addition, there will be stricter rules for reporting from the Drillfield.