On the same day he shot 32 people to death on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Cho Seung-Hui sent a package to NBC News.
According to MSNBC, the package contained video, a photograph and a written communication. At one point in the video, Seung-Hui said, in reference to the massacre, "This didn't have to happen." The package was sent between the time he shot two people to death in a dormitory and before he killed thirty more in another building.
NBC News turned the contents over to the FBI, and in a blog post today anchor Brian Williams said that some of the contents of the package would be discussed on tonight's broadcast.
Just like everyone else, I have a lot of thoughts about the tragedy that occurred on the VA-Tech campus, but none that I can really make coherent at this moment.
It was actually my father who called and told me to switch on CNN that day, and it's a good thing he did, because one of the drawbacks of immersing myself in television news all day is that I sometimes forget to, you know, watch the actual news.
I sat down in my beanbag chair and began to flip between CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, but it didn't take me long to figure out that it was too early for any real information to have surfaced, so I turned off the TV to wait for more substantial information to come forward, rather than listen to a lot of speculation. At this stage, I'm just trying to stay on top of the news to better understand what exactly happened.
As far as why it happened, I don't think that's something we can ever know. I've never believed the old saying that "everything happens for a reason," and it's because of tragic, random events like this one. I'll go back to writing about TV, because that's what I do, but like everyone else, this incident has found occupation in a small space in the back of my mind, and I suspect it'll remain there for some time.
Update: NBC News video can be seen here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-18-2007 @ 6:18PM
David said...
Why is this reported?
And can we make this asshole more famous for posting his picture everywhere including a TV website?
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4-18-2007 @ 6:27PM
Adam from TV Squad said...
It's posted here because the package was sent to NBC News, and "News" is on one of the categories we cover:
http://www.tvsquad.com/category/news/
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4-18-2007 @ 7:38PM
Viv said...
Bastards like this one need to kill themselves; nobody in this world will miss them. He took away 32 other lives for no reason. I wish he was alive so he could be given the "Iraqi" death. Tortured limb by limb.
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4-18-2007 @ 8:06PM
ac said...
Why didn't they lock down the campus after the 1st masacre? You would think that would be the 1st thing to do when a killer is at large on the campus.
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4-18-2007 @ 9:03PM
DaveD said...
Look, there's responsibility. You bloggers wish to claim to be more than amateurs.... this was one of those moments to prove it.
Post the text. DO NOT post either the picture or an editorial about your dad.
You failed on both counts.
Many , MANY other blogs actually did just that - a link to a good news account, and something to the effect of saying "I wish I knew what to say, but I don't have anything to say".
Too bad you guys couldn't simply do that. More - I wouldn't even comment - hey, we all have no clue what to say - but no. Adam couldn't leave it at what he felt he had to say....
He had to:
(1) Defend his post,
(2) Defend it because it was part of some damn "package" NBC News received.
Shame on you for trying to sound like you aren't totally connected to MSM and that you understand what the whole so-called "new" thing called blogging is about.
Again, it isn't just your post - it's the aditional comment to it - that makes me feel you have no clue.
BTW, hey! Nice site redesign! Too bad it expands the ad intrusion (do you know I now have sound on some?) and limits the available links to YOUR site (I now have to search on "Sleeper Cell" since you removed it from everything including that toally useless left hand site menu).
Sorry to merge two totally different ONE HUNDRED PERCENT complaints. But, well, this post (and aside comment) deserved it.
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4-18-2007 @ 10:05PM
linda said...
I have a question??Why must you all search for a reason to this tragedy??Why must you point and try to blame someone..How can we protect what no one knew after first shooting..Maybe you need to be better informed before passing judgement..We will never know the why, but will will always remember those young adults who will not return home..Mourn together as a nation for the senseless loss of life..Live for the day and remember those you love and tell them so you have no regrets,if tragedy strikes you or someone you love..Today is the here and now,tomorrow is not a given.... LB
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4-18-2007 @ 10:44PM
Tammy said...
FYI - it's VA Tech or Virginia Tech or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, etc..... we do not go by "V" Tech. It's not in the state of "V", it's in the state of Virginia.
Proud Hokie Alum - Friday is Hokie Pride day or National Orange and Maroon Day, please wear orange and/or maroon to support my fellow Hokies during this horrible time. Thanks.
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4-18-2007 @ 11:22PM
Adam from TV Squad said...
Tammy: I fixed the post. Thanks.
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4-18-2007 @ 11:37PM
Jim said...
I somehow managed to watch two hours of coverage on CNN Tuesday night. Some of the worst "journalism" I've ever seen. I hate TV news.
Hokie Pride lives on.
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4-19-2007 @ 1:20AM
Derek said...
I think NBC should have turned the package over to the cops without airing any of it. They've now encouraged the next maniac who wants to be on television to do the exact same thing.
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4-19-2007 @ 6:23PM
Tammy said...
Thanks Adam. I know it seems silly but it's one of those things that bugs alot of us. Call it Hokie Pride but I just had to correct it since it was the title of this post.
I have noticed that it's V-Tech all through the American Idol articles too but figured it wasn't worth correcting.
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4-19-2007 @ 7:07PM
Adam from TV Squad said...
Tammy: No problem. Hope things get back to normal soon.
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4-20-2007 @ 10:31AM
Where did my stars go? said...
I am wearing my Hokie t-shirt today at work in solidarity for the friends and families that lost loved ones at VA Tech. My heartfelt condolences go out to all that have suffered through this tragedy.
I am offended by seeing the murderer's photo on this post as well. Why not the Hokie mascot or the VA Tech logo, instead? Why does he have to be made into a media darling?
The media gave this crazy bastard exactly what he wanted and now have given other nutjobs the idea of making a "mass media" dvd before they execute their fantasies. Thanks - great job, guys.
I have NOT watched any of the video coverage this crazy murderer sent in on purpose. But, what matters the feelings of friends and families of people so viciously murdered when there is money to be made?
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4-20-2007 @ 10:39AM
Where did my stars go? said...
Can images be posted on TVS? Here is something better to replace that face with. (I am trying all 3 choices photobucket offers to see if any will work.)
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/emland/VTRibbon.jpg
[IMG]http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/emland/VTRibbon.jpg[/IMG]
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4-20-2007 @ 11:09AM
Adam from TV Squad said...
Those images were too small. I instead replaced the image with one from the candlelight vigil, taken from the school's Web site.
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4-20-2007 @ 11:19AM
Where did my stars go? said...
Thank you, Adam.
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