Seung-Hui Cho

Seung-Hui Cho (January 18, 1984 – April 16, 2007) was a South Korean-born mass murderer who committed the Virginia Tech shooting on April 16, 2007. On that day, Cho killed 32 people and wounded 17 others with two semi-automatic pistols in two separate attacks (approximately two hours apart) before committing suicide. The massacre is the deadliest school shooting in the history of the United States and one of the deadliest by a single shooter worldwide.

Early Life

Cho was born in Asan, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 8 with his family. They settled in Centreville, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C. Cho was known to be shy and was bullied throughout his childhood and adolescence for his difficulty speaking English. His family was concerned about his behavior and mental health during his early life, and he was diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder. Despite these challenges, Cho graduated from Westfield High School in Chantilly, Virginia, in 2003.

College Years

Cho enrolled at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 2003, majoring in English. During his time at Virginia Tech, Cho's behavior was described as troubled by several professors and classmates. He was accused of stalking two female students and was declared mentally ill by a Virginia special justice who ordered him to seek outpatient treatment. However, Cho's mental health issues were not sufficiently addressed, partly due to legal and privacy constraints.

The Virginia Tech Massacre

On the morning of April 16, 2007, Cho began his rampage by killing two students in a dormitory at Virginia Tech. He then returned to his own dorm room, changed clothes, and mailed a package containing a manifesto, photographs, and videos to NBC News. This package, which was received and broadcasted by NBC two days later, contained Cho's grievances and his reasons for the attack. After mailing the package, Cho proceeded to Norris Hall, where he chained the doors shut and began shooting students and faculty members in classrooms. The attack lasted approximately 11 minutes before Cho committed suicide.

Aftermath

The Virginia Tech massacre prompted widespread media attention and debate over gun control laws, campus security, and the treatment of mental health issues in the United States. In response to the tragedy, Virginia Tech and other universities across the country implemented improved security measures and mental health support services for students.

Legacy

Cho's actions led to significant changes in how mental health issues are addressed on college campuses and how potential threats are communicated between institutions. The tragedy also resulted in the passage of the first major federal gun control measure in more than a decade, which aimed to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

See Also

• School shooting
• Gun control in the United States
• Mental health in the United States