Parents And Sister Of VT Killer Silent; Grandfather Speaks

As new details are revealed about the deranged shooter, we have learned that he had a specific plan. This was not a reaction to any one specific incident, it was not an uncontrolled rage that led the depraved individual to strike down innocents. No one set him off. Quietly, he planned this with pinpoint accuracy and carried out the plan in a chillingly, determined and methodical manner. Many that lived to tell, have said that he looked professional.

Today, psychological experts everywhere will continue their efforts to explain why a person would do what he did. But, just how close are we to truly understanding what was in the mind of the killer and his motives? And how much does it really matter?

I do not know much about the parents of this deranged man except to note that the media has reported they were hospitalized with shock, not for suicide attempts as was first reported. Beyond this, there hasn't been much on them. But today, the Telegraph has published more information about the family life of the killer, with an interesting (yet more than likely, entirely irrelevant) twist to this tragic event.

THE sister of the gunman responsible for the deadliest shooting rampage in modern US history works as a contractor for a State Department office that oversees billions of dollars in American aid for Iraq.

Interesting, but this little plot sidetrack probably has little or no bearing on why this tragedy took place. And because the immediate family has made the decision to remove themselves from the limelight (and understandingly so), all that can be learned at this point is what can be pieced together. Ironically, his grandfather (who is far removed from the situation geographically because he lives in Korea) is the only one that has been quoted in this, so far.

Kim, 81, who lives in Kyonggi province outside Seoul, said he has had little contact with his daughter – the mother of the shooter – after they arrived in the United States.

Cho's parents ran a used-book shop in Seoul until they left for the United States.

"They bought the tiny shop with the money my son-in-law made in Saudi Arabia before he got married," Kim said.

The critical thinking side of me is wondering how this money was made, in Saudi Arabia. But before you deem me to be a paranoid right-winger, let me say there is no reason to go into this examination with any preconceived theories, based on one vague report. But in the interim period, I think that if we want to get any kind of understanding of this, we have to ask some pointed questions here. We need to learn more about everything involved here (at some point when the grieving process has advanced a little further). And while I strongly caution against getting stirred up over this particular bit of information, all info that comes up, needs to be looked at closely when the dust settles more.

As I said earlier, it's probably nothing. Right?



UPDATE (4-20-07)

More is coming out from the shooter's family. The Mirror has details.

THE grandfather of Cho Seung-Hui said yesterday: "Son of a bitch. It serves him right he died with his victims."

Sounds like little Cho has brought great grief and dishonor to the family name, back in the old country.