Once Cho’s identification was confirmed, Virginia Tech Police records were reviewed and it was determined that there was contact with Cho in the fall of 2005.
(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - At 7:53 AM this morning, a Virginia Tech operator received a threat against President Charles Steger.
Police officers responded to Steger’s office in Burruss Hall to make him aware of the potential threat.
The increased police presence in and around Buruss Hall led to rumors and false assumptions about what was going on, this then led to an unwarranted report of a suspicious person in Buruss Hall.
Officers immediately responded to the report of a suspicious person, which was unfounded.
“Reports of this kind are not uncommon in the wake of what has taken place in the past 48 hours on the Virginia Tech campus – which is one reason why there is high police visibility throughout the campus,” said Chief W.R. Flinchum, Virginia Tech Police.
State, local, and federal law enforcement officials have released new information on the Norris Hall gunman, Cho Seung-Hui, 23.
Once Cho’s identification was confirmed, Virginia Tech Police records were reviewed and it was determined that there was contact with Cho in the fall of 2005.
Nov. 27th, 2005, Cho contacted a female student through phone calls and in person.
The student notified the Virginia Tech Police Department, and declined to press charges.
However, Officers spoke with Cho concerning this matter, and the investigating officer referred Cho to the University disciplinary system – the Office of Judicial Affairs.
Dec. 12th, 2005, Cho instant messaged a second female student. She made a complaint to Virginia Tech Police.
In both instances there was never any direct threat made.
Later that day police received a call from an acquaintance of Cho’s who was concerned that Cho might have been suicidal. Officers again met with Cho and talked with him at length.
Out of concern for Cho, officers asked him to speak to a counselor. He went voluntarily to the police department.
Based on that interaction with the counselor, a temporary detention order was obtained and Cho was taken to a mental health facility, Carilion Saint Albans Behavioral Health Center.
It was also in the fall of 2005 that the Chair of the English Department, Dr. Lucinda Roy, shared her concerns with Virginia Tech Police regarding Cho and his course writing assignments.
“These assignments were for a creative writing course that encouraged students to be imaginative and artistic. The writings did not express any threatening intentions or allude to any criminal activity, and no criminal violation had taken place,” said Flinchum, “Dr. Roy chose to reach out to this student, out of concern for him and his mental wellbeing.”
Since those contacts in December of 2005 the Virginia Tech Police Department is not aware of any additional incidents or reports made to the police department in regards to Cho.
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Threat Made Against Virginia Tech President (VIDEO)Salem-News.com