Shooting at Va Tech

[DawnCt1]

I don't know that she's the motive for the massacre. Cho may have been obsessed with her, but the whole thing seems too planned out to have been a rage that resulted from an argument.

I heard that she didn't really know him. That the police were actually investigating her boyfriend who had nothing to do with the shooting and that was the distraction.

 

[Charade]

Yes he still would have killed, but I strongly doubt there would have been as many victims.

It could have been worse. Much worse. He could have just driven a car in to a crowd of students during class changes.

 

[Laura]

I heard that she didn't really know him. That the police were actually investigating her boyfriend who had nothing to do with the shooting and that was the distraction.

Wouldn't surprise me. When I have an argument with my DH, we don't shout the words "husband" and "wife" at each other. So shouting "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" (if that's what happened) makes me think she was probably telling Cho she already has a boyfriend and to get his creepy self out.

 

[beachblanket]

I heard that she didn't really know him. That the police were actually investigating her boyfriend who had nothing to do with the shooting and that was the distraction.

I've heard variations on those reports, but they also state investigators are still digging into why Cho went to the effort to get into that specific dormitory, went up to that specific floor and got into involved in an argument with her. We're also hearning vague references to the notes he left in his dorm room that can be interpreted as content possibly related to Emily.

Or put another way, while all his other murders were completely random, there's a different story behind the first... one that has yet to fully told.

 

[Laura]

Good points. We'll probably never know exactly why he sought her out that morning, and whether it was the actual "tipping point" for what followed. That stated, I'm sure the investigation is digging deeply into all that, and there may be far more to come out of this element of the story.

Yeah, who knows? It seems like the guy was seriously disturbed/depressed/suicidal. And even if it wasn't Emily Hilscher, it could have been some other random girl, or Jodie Foster or something else to focus his mind on.

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe he had a relationship with her at some other time? Or maybe he just wanted one? There's just too much unknown right now to really even begin to conjecture.

The warning signal idea is interesting. If it could be readily distinguishable from the other sirens, it could be helpful. I'm still not sure if telling those who are outdoors to head into buildings would necessarily be wise in all cases but maybe that could be worked out somehow.

A Presidential task force? I don't know about that. It'll just end up being regulated and it would probably take forever. I hope that private industry comes up with something.

 

[phisigprincess]

I had read in our paper today that Emily Hilscher's roommate/best friend went on record saying she didn't know Cho and didn't think Emily did either. My best friend and I went to college together and roomed together, and if there was someone fixated on me or that I knew well enough to get into an argument with, I guarantee she would have known about it. That's why I wonder if Hilscher truly didn't know him. So many unanswered questions.

 

[pgsahm2]

Oh that makes me just cry. I love it.

 

[pgsahm2]

I wanted to comment on the alarm systems. When I was in college we had fire alarms go off so often it was ridiculous (most of the time it was some student smoking in their room when they weren't supposed to). Because of the aggravation of false alarms a lot of students completely ignored the alarms after a while. I'll admit I did it too a handful of times.

While I think an alarm could be helpful in some ways, I don't think it would have helped in the VT situation all that much. I think the maniac would have found a way around a lockdown alarm and gone on to murder whoever stood in his way.

 

[Amlee]

I had read in our paper today that Emily Hilscher's roommate/best friend went on record saying she didn't know Cho and didn't think Emily did either. My best friend and I went to college together and roomed together, and if there was someone fixated on me or that I knew well enough to get into an argument with, I guarantee she would have known about it. That's why I wonder if Hilscher truly didn't know him. So many unanswered questions.

I had a stalker when I was 16, He started calling the house making all kinds of comments toward me and what he would like to do to me. I had not a clue who he was. This was before we had caller ID and all that other wonderful stuff we have now. It went from just random phone calls, to this guy calling and telling me how much he enjoyed watching me change class at school. To he couldn't wait to see me wear that outfit I had bought at Wal-mart that afternoon. He acted like I should know who he was and would get very upset when I would ask him who he was. The police was contacted and my family was out for blood.

It took us almost 2 years to figure out who this guy was. Come to find out he was a 40 year old man, who ate breakfast every morning at the same place I would stop and get my breakfast before school. I never so much as said boo to this guy. When he was found out, he no longer saw the reason to hide his feelings. He was everywhere! School, after school, and in town. I couldn't get away from this guy. The law at the time, would allow the police to arrest him. He would get out on bound in a few hours and be right back where he left off. He knew this, as he told my mother if we had him arrested he would get out of jail long enough to kill me. To quote him "I will blow her head off"!

He later left the community, but I did run into him a few years later. I was with a group that wouldn't let him get to me. But still to this day, he scares me to death.

My point is, she could have very well never met, knew or had any contact from this guy until that morning. She could have given him a smile, or said hello to him in passing and this guy could have taken it for way more than it was.

 

[Deb in IA]

, Amlee.


You are right. Sadly, we may never know what, if any, connection Emily Hilscher had to Cho.

 

[lbgraves]

On Monday, April 23, 2007, all are encouraged to wear Virginia Tech colors (Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon) to remember the tragic events of April 16, 2007 in which 32 faculty/staff and students were killed as a result of a deranged murderer. Show everyone that we, this generation, will not forget the events of that day-ever!

We were notified by our alumni counsel that it was going to be held this Friday. Is this an additional event?

 

[pgsahm2]

Passing this on.....

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/breaking/wb/113294


Former Hokie quarterback Michael Vick is helping launch an effort to help victims of Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback's foundation is making a $10,000 donation to a newly established United Way fund.

Kymn Davidson-Hamley, executive director of the United Way of Montgomery, Radford & Floyd, said the money will provide assistance for funeral expenses, transportation for victims' relatives and mental health services, among other costs.

Donations can be made via the United Way chapter's Web site, which can be found here. http://www.unitedwaynrv.org/

Contributions also can be mailed to the United in Caring Fund for Victims of the VA Tech Tragedy at UWMRF, P.O. Box 6202, Christiansburg VA 24068. Davidson-Hamley asks that contributors indicate clearly that they want their donation to go to the fund.

 

[lbgraves]

Aparantly the students at UVA all wore orange yesterday to support the Tech students. That was really nice to hear of that support; the 2 schools have a huge rivalry.

Yep - they also painted Beta Bridge maroon with "Hoos for Hokies" on it - (it's a local University landmark.)

I went to UVA - so it's good to see the support - it is a HUGE rivalry! (we go both ways at our house for obvious reasons! )

Hearing this means a great deal. The fact that it took an event this tragic to bridge that rivalry and annomosity is sad. We are just as guilty as Hokies...so I am not pointing fingers. Perhaps that will be one of the good things to come from the horror.

 

[lbgraves]

I've heard variations on those reports, but they also state investigators are still digging into why Cho went to the effort to get into that specific dormitory, went up to that specific floor and got into involved in an argument with her. We're also hearning vague references to the notes he left in his dorm room that can be interpreted as content possibly related to Emily.

Or put another way, while all his other murders were completely random, there's a different story behind the first... one that has yet to fully told.

A report this morning said that they both attended the same high school but Emily didn't know him there.

 

[beachblanket]

I had a stalker when I was 16, He started calling the house making all kinds of comments toward me and what he would like to do to me. I had not a clue who he was. This was before we had caller ID and all that other wonderful stuff we have now. It went from just random phone calls, to this guy calling and telling me how much he enjoyed watching me change class at school. To he couldn't wait to see me wear that outfit I had bought at Wal-mart that afternoon. He acted like I should know who he was and would get very upset when I would ask him who he was. The police was contacted and my family was out for blood.

It took us almost 2 years to figure out who this guy was. Come to find out he was a 40 year old man, who ate breakfast every morning at the same place I would stop and get my breakfast before school. I never so much as said boo to this guy. When he was found out, he no longer saw the reason to hide his feelings. He was everywhere! School, after school, and in town. I couldn't get away from this guy. The law at the time, would allow the police to arrest him. He would get out on bound in a few hours and be right back where he left off. He knew this, as he told my mother if we had him arrested he would get out of jail long enough to kill me. To quote him "I will blow her head off"!

He later left the community, but I did run into him a few years later. I was with a group that wouldn't let him get to me. But still to this day, he scares me to death.

My point is, she could have very well never met, knew or had any contact from this guy until that morning. She could have given him a smile, or said hello to him in passing and this guy could have taken it for way more than it was.

A chilling tale, and your point is understood - Emily may indeed have never previously spoken to or had any interaction with Cho. Given what we already know about him, it's completely possible to see a scenario where he dreamed up some nonexistent connection with her.

In fact, the evidence at this point suggests that a minimum he did have some form of "a connection" in his head (i.e., it's very difficult to argue his arrival at that specific dorm, floor and room were completely random) and that the mere presence of an individual he presumed to know possibly led to the start of his killing spree (ergo, the "spark" title in my earlier post).

 

[lbgraves]

This is the announcement for this Friday's memorial.

 

[Amlee]

, Amlee.


You are right. Sadly, we may never know what, if any, connection Emily Hilscher had to Cho.

Thanks!

No, I don't believe we will ever know.

 

[Amlee]

A chilling tale, and your point is understood - Emily may indeed have never previously spoken to or had any interaction with Cho. Given what we already know about him, it's completely possible to see a scenario where he dreamed up some nonexistent connection with her.

In fact, the evidence at this point suggests that a minimum he did have some form of "a connection" in his head (i.e., it's very difficult to argue his arrival at that specific dorm, floor and room were completely random) and that the mere presence of an individual he presumed to know possibly led to the start of his killing spree (ergo, the "spark" title in my earlier post).

I agree, there was some type of connection for him to go to her. But what a normal person might see as a passing acknowledgement as simple as nodding your head when you see someone or making eye contact. Was seen as something major in his mind. It's something that will never be known.

People have to wonder why I don't make eye contact with strangers!

 

[lbgraves]

The news is reporting that 8 schools are on lockdown in MD while police search for a suspect with a gun and someone hit 5 students with a car in CA. I just can't process any more of this.