NBC Received Package from Virginia Tech Shooter

Documents from 2005 declare that Cho was mentally ill and an imminent danger to others.

(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - NBC News in New York received correspondence from Cho Seung-Hui about the shooting at Virginia Tech. It was revealed today that the package of information that arrived at the NBC studios through the mail includes writings and images and it is reported that it was mailed prior to, or between Monday's shootings.

The package that arrived at NBC New York on Wednesday included multiple photos, images and writings. NBC immediately contacted authorities. At this point the FBI has all of the information that NBC received, they say they are going over it.

Superintendent of Virginia State Police Steve Flahrety, says, "This is a critical new component of the investigation."

CNN's Wolf Blitzer says the story is changing by the hour right now as it develops through a series of twists and turns.

The information about NBC receiving a package from Cho comes amid the news that the shooter was declared to be mentally ill and a danger to others by a Virginia judge in late 2005.

Explaining the difficulty of this type of situation, one special judge in Virginia says it is difficult to take a person into custody even when they are declared an imminent danger.

Republican politics in the 1980's under the watch of Ronald Reagan permanently changed the American system that had always cared for the mentally ill. Since the late 1980's, many people like Cho have gone on to commit horrific crimes because of the elimination of government mental health programs.

Cho was contacted two times during his time at Virginia Tech by police over stalking women. Two of his roommates that appeared on television say they scarcely knew him, saying he was quiet, odd, and scary to some women on the campus.

They also said he had an imaginary girlfriend named "Jelly" who called him "Spanky." Cho described his imaginary girlfriend as having the appearance of a supermodel.

The Virginia judge says his hands are tied in a case like this, "After a full hearing and if the person has denied to be a voluntary patient, if there is clear and overwhelming evidence, I am still obligated to look at less restrictive means over incarceration if they are available and appropriate."

The documents from 2005 declare that he was mentally ill and an imminent danger to others. It also said he was "in need of hospitalization, so seriously mental ill, that he has to be incapable of caring for himself."

At least one professor has spoken out now to say that it was extremely clear that Cho was dangerous, and that she took steps to have him removed from her classroom.

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Leattelop October 2, 2008 5:37 am (Pacific time)

How i may contact admin this site? I have a question.

EDITOR: write to us at newsroom@salem-news.com

Vietnam Veteran April 21, 2007 7:51 am (Pacific time)

Say Rosenberg, ignore these idiots, they're losers.

Albert Marnell April 21, 2007 1:05 am (Pacific time)

Those Libertarian websites are under my spell.

Rosenberg April 20, 2007 6:05 pm (Pacific time)

Marnell those leftwing websites have you under their spell. You really have no idea what's coming...though you rail agaist all authority, e.g. , law enforcement and military. You'll want them to help you in due time, just like the kooks in San Francisco, when the next earthquake happens. Poor clueless people.

Albert Marnell April 20, 2007 11:29 am (Pacific time)

A Postscript. Being in finance and investments, yes I know about oil shale and alot of things that I can no longer waste my time on. I know I cherry-picked otherwise I would have to write a book and I have other things to take care of. There were plenty more cherries to pick....just can not be bothered....especially with someone like you. Your personality I have seen thousands of times over the decades and they never change. Maybe the answer is to break up the U.S. the same way we have and want to continue breaking up other countries for their nationalistic goals. Do you not find it interesting that we want to acquire more land, bases, even states and for the rest of the world, most of our leaders want other nations divided and more countries created. When I was born there were 48 states, Alaska and Hawaii did not become part of the "Union" until 1959. We wanted Puerto Rico as a 51st state but they did not want us....so it seems....I do not trust elections. So we want to expand and Romanize. Watch over the next hundred years and things become so intertwined that it will not matter where you live....one World Bank, one Currency, borders evaporating and becoming more and more meaningless...One Despotic World Order with no place to run.....all controlled by the same banking families that that have been lending money to governemts for hundreds of years. Do you know anything about global bankers? Go to F.R.E.E. or you could try Terrorstorm or Prison Planet.com. Enough for now I have more important things to do than banter with you.

Albert Marnell April 20, 2007 11:06 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, It is very interesting that, in my last comment, I was going to write about a domestic "civil war" and the risk of the United States being divided up into two or more countries, similar to what might happen in Iraq. I know that you are looking forward to this "bloody internal war" and your attitude "is" beyond my comprehension (on that you are correct). And yes I have been around an enemy who would like to send me down the food chain....that enemy is you and people that think like you. Geographically we are far apart, and you can go postal up and down Maple Street for all I care, in your boxers if you like. You are just dying to use all the munitions you have stockpiled. Enjoy and do not underestimate people that "appear" to be on the "left". I despise even that kind of thinking. One thing I know, there will always be Rosenbergs and always be Marnells. Quite frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damn. Let the chips fall where they may.

Rosenberg April 20, 2007 9:17 am (Pacific time)

Like many others you chery-pick isolated events that really do not acknowledge the ebb and flow of meaningful events that promulgate an accurate picture of how we got where we are today. You see a few trees but not the forest. Ideally you can see the individual trees and at the same time see the forest. I am beyong you Marnell, deal with it! As far as you protecting yourself, great, but so what. Have you even been around a highly trained enemy whose primary focus was to send you down the food chain? We know the answer to that one don't we young man. Be vigilant Marnell, that's the best advice I can give you. By the way are you familiar with how much oil shale we have? The cost it would be to convert to usable form? Ten years ago lefty global warming types predicted that by today we would be dead. 40 years ago global cooling types said by today we would be buried under miles of ice. I will give you a prediction: within 5 years we will be in a bloody internal war. If you are alive, then you'll have a chance to see how good you are at handling yourself. I hope you make it Marnell, you make a super case study for our interning students out there...

Very Angry Citizen April 20, 2007 4:10 am (Pacific time)

I am very angry at what this human being did. I don't understand why he had the guts to do it i am really upset of this man. He should know better, all this happend because his girlfrined had another man, i understand how he felt but i don't think he should have done that. i have the biggest sympethy for all the families who's son or daughter died it is a tragic monment for all of us. I pray for all the souls. May God Bless the family n relatives...x.x.x.x

Albert Marnell April 19, 2007 5:43 pm (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, Nothing is wrong with a military career. When I finished high-shool I did not know one student whose goal was not in the high-ed professions...all the cliches like lawyer, doctors, businessmen. Do us all a favor and protect yourself. I do not want or need protection from anyone. I would have no problem killing to defend myself. As a matter of fact, it would be a pleasure.

Albert Marnell April 19, 2007 5:38 pm (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, Oct. 17, 1973 Arab oil-producing countries curtail oil shipments to industrial nations, deeping energy crises. This was caused by our over support of Israel, along with Britain and France. Iran Iraq War, Sept. 1980. Carter did not create these problems. We also supported Sadaam because he feared Iran and Rumsfeld promised we would give him whatever he wanted even though then we knew he was a brutal dictator. Meanwhile, we put in that puppet Shah decades earlier and paid the price with the Ayatollah Komeini. Dec. 13 1979, Saudi Arabia (our bull crap friends) raise marker crude to $24 a barrel. I really do not understand what Reagan did that was so great except to destroy social programs for the most needy. De-regulation of giants equals economic free for all. Seriously, can you explain? Carter was in for such a short period and you want to blame him for everything. In 73-74 the stock market was down 40% at its bottom except for maybe the Nifty Fifty. I went to religious schools and did not even like prayer there. Abortion is great, wish there were more early term...too many people as it is. I would like stone tablets with the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights on all school grounds not the stupid a** Ten Commandments....great for the lazy and borderline illiterates. I remember President Ford saying that by 1990 America would be totally fuel independent and all sources of alternative energy would be in place by then......what happened? Big oil rules, as now, that is what happened. Is that Carter's fault anymore than some young guys having an accident in helicopters or being badly trained and supervised?

Rosenberg April 19, 2007 4:40 pm (Pacific time)

Some people see the big picture, some don't. Executive leadership, even military command, are experiences I am sure you have never had Hank. Suffice, as a cherry-picker, you can appeal to those of similar ilk (Chomsky-like readers are plentiful). Fortunately your opinions are in the minority. I cannot imagine the state of the union, had people of similar views and experience as you, were in charged. Oh wait a minute, we did have Jimmy Carter. Stay with those paper targets, and we adults will keep you safe so you can go on and on as to how incompetent people like us are. Peace Hank, I really do appreciate your views, keeps my pharmacy stock way up.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 12:54 pm (Pacific time)

Rosy: Wrapped this one specially for you; from "Rise of the Republicrats";The American Prospect;Sept. 06;Ezra Klein. He better known nationally than you OR me...respected, authoritative writer who lived Reagan years in D.C. "In the states --49 of which are statutorily forced to balance their budgets--deficit spendin wasn't an option. So small-government extremist Grover Norquist sought to starve the beast in a more direct manner, extracting anti-tas pledges from 1,200 of the nation's state office holders and targeting tax raisers for electoral execution." Goes on from there to cite breakdown in his plans, with two of his pledgees, Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Bush's first Budget Director, proposing a 29 percent hike in income tax on highest bracket to close a $600 million budget gap; and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, days after Norqist praised him as example, offering up a huge increase of his own. "It had turned out that starving the beast sounded good to voters, but starving the schools didn't". Norquist was of course Reagan conquistador enforcing regime will on all-Congress via duplicitous means. Fits in Oregon too...added to 80 percent drop in corporate tax share, firmly depositing heavy added load on shoulders of individual Oregonians. (OCPP-documented.)

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 12:03 pm (Pacific time)

Hi, Rosy ! Nice to see you still have some gumption, even if no real appreciation of well-recorded history. See Stockman's book for word from insider with insights and intimate knowledge...unfortunately now under indictment for what may have been same kind of bad judgments. Check also on Norquist et al as in any number of references here; on request will send one or more of some 20 PDFs. But don't overlook dozens of other sources now telling it true like it really happened.

Rosenberg April 19, 2007 11:47 am (Pacific time)

Ronald Reagan gave us hope. He reinvigorated the American spirit. He reminded America of what it is at its best. He, simply with his smile and with his wit, relegated to the academy the "Vietnam syndrome," the "blame America first" crowd, and the "malaise" of spirit. With his policies, we prospered, became more secure, and began to regain an understanding of our constitutional duties. Ronald Reagan lived the American Dream. His eight years as President made it more likely that another generation would be afforded the opportunity to do so as well. In remembering him, as he deserves to be remembered, we remind ourselves of what we can be and how to be that.

To begin to understand the significance and legacy of Ronald Reagan it is necessary simply to recall the condition of the country in the years 1979 and 1980, the last two years of the Carter Presidency.The country was, according to its Chief Executive, mired in a spiritual malaise. In foreign affairs, the country was treated with contempt by petty tyrants and emirs around the world. The Soviet Union or their proxies were on the march in Angola, Vietnam, Cuba, Ethiopia, Syria, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, and, of course, Afghanistan. In America and Western Europe, the Soviets orchestrated campaigns for a nuclear freeze and against strengthening NATO. The Warsaw Pact nations remained captive. In economic affairs, the country was suffering double-digit inflation, double-digit interest rates, and high unemployment. Consumers were sitting in gasoline lines, experiencing and "energy crisis." On social issues, activist judges routinely legislated busing of children, abortion, preferential treatment for minorities, no school prayer, no Christmas crèches on public facilities, and even occasionally raised our taxes. In the last year of his presidency, Carter was preoccupied by Khomeini holding American hostages in Iran. The futility of his presidency was brought home when the American armed forces, under Carter's leadership, proved unable to fly six helicopters across the desert of southern Iran. These are the circumstances, we must remember, which Ronald Reagan inherited when he became President on January 20, 1981. Reagan

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 10:15 am (Pacific time)

Al et al: Don't expect any sympathy from me...been workin' at it for fify years, and still ain't got it dead-to-rights !

Albert Marnell April 19, 2007 9:24 am (Pacific time)

Hank, I am getting better at it, but old habits are hard to break. Got some pointers from Bonnie, much appreciated and not forgotten. Things take time. I am not slow but am resistant. Good thing I don't smoke cigarettes, don't think I would be able to quit.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 8:54 am (Pacific time)

To all: When confronted with such open-shut political fact as available on Reagan malign impacts, cannot resist...!! Here's another literally dropping out of fat file:
"Rise of the Republicrats"; Eza Klein; The American Prospect; pp, 40-43, Sept.06. PDF available on request.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 8:20 am (Pacific time)

To all: Just happens Consortium gives us clear picture of Reagan attack on PHS...see Parry story at this URL: consortiumnews@mail.democracyinaction.org Furnishing this simply to ease search by others for the many such documentations of what may seem overblown attack on Reagan Era, when in due and proper historic fact it is the root cause of much now killing further development of true democratic (small-d !!) status in this nation. Irrefutable facts demand rational, reasonable reliance on further decision shaping our nation.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 7:54 am (Pacific time)

Al: I realize only too well the truth of what you state. Nobody not living in those days has clear conception now of what went on and why. That's why we owe this thinking generation et al the best possible remembrances we can furnish --and your good statements continue to help get that job done, albeit sometimes strained from impact of impressionables lost in the chaotic communications-flow crowding us all these days...

Albert Marnell April 19, 2007 7:34 am (Pacific time)

Hank, A person has to be over 40 (basically) to really understand what you said and its implications. We will see and feel much more Reagan jive via Bush. It's not pretty or funny.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 5:28 am (Pacific time)

J-H: You are partially correct, but then seek out powers behind the cases and see where that leads. The action vs states came from the same place, for the same reason, as allathe other stuff (can't use right word !) of that era...had some peculiar experiences with some of it, so can report 1st-hand.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 5:24 am (Pacific time)

For Sad: Your sense-of-news is sadly (forgive me !) out of date. The concept of one-side, other-side, no comment went out the window with Internet. Impossible to report truthfully on current imbroglios without precise description, precisely as Tim laid it out. IF you have other authority or personal, professional experience, cite it --or ID-self and we can exchange fuller information directly.

Hank Ruark April 19, 2007 5:20 am (Pacific time)

To all: Tim is dead-on (forgive me !) in his comment re Reagan impact on American life through what he did...and did NOT !...do. Happens my working experience encompasses some direct contacts with his so-called policies and their impacts, even now... If desired, will elaborate in depth, detail, with full documentation, but do not wish to impose on yr reading-time. Believe me, we will see and feel much more, given the ongoing jive still underway via Bush, precisely based on early-Reagan and with same actors, playing similar roles. Can anyone honestly doubt what contemporary history is teaching us ?

P Ode April 18, 2007 7:25 pm (Pacific time)

I just heard a Psychologist's analysis of Cho. It put all of the blame on Cho and no commentary on society, violence, Iraq etc. It was so PC, the "therapist" did more harm then good and did not mention anything about reaching out or what others can do to help. I wanted to shoot my flatscreen.

DESEM FNF RIP RUSTEE April 18, 2007 5:43 pm (Pacific time)

What is this world coming to?May the angels help them lead the way to heaven for

Albert Marnell April 18, 2007 3:59 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, Beautifully stated and the obvious reality to anyone with eyes and a memory of recent history.

Nelli April 18, 2007 3:58 pm (Pacific time)

I don't understand how the school didn't lock down or alert the student body..if they would have done somthing about it then 30 of the people killed would not have die..I personally blame the school for not doing something because they could have prevented those deaths.

Seoul Brother April 18, 2007 3:43 pm (Pacific time)

He is just another Human Being. We all could have been him. In an non-communal atomized society, the individual essentially knows that he or she is abandoned and must fend for themselves or die. This is not a good environment for producing inner peace or balance. People lose jobs after they are married, have kids, mortgages and stand to lose everything including their support system. I almost married a Korean woman who wanted to be less restricted by cultural norms set down by men. They are more repressive than here to women. She and I would be the first to agree that this is not just the result of a "wiring defect" but has the print of cultural influences, here and back in Korea. Even if he spent most of his life here, he had to have a Korean mind set, which pressures the male worse than here and support of an extended family and community is for the most part a given there. Here it is every man for himself, sink or swim, do or die. Well, in a way he implemented the values of the culture that we live in, in the form of an act of violence.

Tim King April 18, 2007 3:36 pm (Pacific time)

Well, I guess I can't help taking a good shot when I see it. I live in Salem, Oregon where you can always see evidence of what I am talking about. Simply, "Reaganomics" worked off the backs of people who were mentally ill, they are easy targets. So, I won't lose sleep if it bothers people to realize pertinent facts when they read a story. Presidents like Reagan have been slowly undermining the equitable good that once existed in this country for people of lesser means. That is not political bias any more than it is when I covered the war in Afghanistan and gave almost exclusively positive reports about our brave soldiers. Is that biased too? Some people sure think so, they call me a right-wing agenda advocate. Regardless, that has nothing to do with it, as it is time that people stop associating hard facts with political agendas.

I didn't ask Reagan to set us up this way, I certainly don't think that facts automatically belong in an Op-Ed column because they rub non-reversing supporters of GOP politics the wrong way. For the record, I have a substantial history of reporting on the progress of the developmentally disabled community. While I do not wish to be offensive, I will not change, modify or adapt "kid gloves" just because I am shining a light on the party that the rich belong to.

It isn't about labels as much as it is about history.

Bill Little April 18, 2007 3:15 pm (Pacific time)

So how the Republicans remove the ability for a person of means to get help? Utter liberal idiocy

saddened April 18, 2007 3:12 pm (Pacific time)

Whether the following passage is true or not, it belongs in an editorial, not in a news report.

>>Republican politics in the 1980's under the watch of Ronald Reagan permanently changed the American system that had always cared for the mentally ill. Since the late 1980's, many people like Cho have gone on to commit horrific crimes because of the elimination of government mental health programs.

Jim Henderson April 18, 2007 3:04 pm (Pacific time)

Hmmmmmm . . . Ronald Reagan's knarly hand strikes from the grave? Puhleeeeease. The courts stripped the states of the ability carry forward longstanding programs that required detainer, forced medication, and the like. Follow the litigation trail back to who filed the cases.

The Duke April 18, 2007 2:43 pm (Pacific time)

We are praying for the families at the time of this immense tragedy, let's hope a lot of time passes before we ever hear about anything else like this, God bless all of you.

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NBC Received Package from Virginia Tech Shooter

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