Gunman in Virginia Tech massacre had raised concerns with his disturbing writings

[Zenlitened]

Source: Associated Press

Gunman in Virginia Tech massacre had raised concerns with his disturbing writings

By Adam Geller, AP | April 17, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- The gunman suspected of carrying out the Virginia Tech massacre that left 33 people dead was identified Tuesday as a English major whose creative writing was so disturbing that he was referred to the school's counseling service.

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Professor Carolyn Rude, chairwoman of the university's English department, said she did not personally know the gunman. But she said she spoke with Lucinda Roy, the department's director of creative writing, who had Cho in one of her classes and described him as "troubled."

"There was some concern about him," Rude said. "Sometimes, in creative writing, people reveal things and you never know if it's creative or if they're describing things, if they're imagining things or just how real it might be. But we're all alert to not ignore things like this."

She said Cho was referred to the counseling service, but she said she did not know when, or what the outcome was. Rude refused to release any of his writings or his grades, citing privacy laws.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/17/gunman_in_virginia_tech_massacre_had_raised_concerns_with_his_disturbing_writings/