Emergency.Blog

Suspected Gunman Identified by Virginia Authorities

17 Apr 2007 - 09:00CDT

Gunman Identified; Believed to Be Student and Resident Alien

BLACKSBURG, VA: The gunman suspected of carrying out the Virginia Tech massacre that left 33 people dead was identified Tuesday as a senior English major from South Korea, the Associated Press reported today. Police identified the gunman in the classroom attack as 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui (pronounced Choh Suhng-whee). Cho held a green card ? meaning he was a legal, permanent U.S. resident ? and had been in the United States since 1992, federal officials said. Police did not offer a motive for the mass murder, but said that they were investigating an "unusual" note that was left behind by the gunman before he carried out the assault at Norris Hall.

According to unidentified LE sources, ballistics tests show one gun was used in both sets of shootings, Virginia State Police said. And, two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information had not been officially announced, said Cho's fingerprints were found on the two guns believed used in yesterday's rampage. The serial numbers on the two weapons had been filed off, officials also said. Investigation of the incidents continues at the time of this report...

-- AP/Yahoo article continues at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070417/ap_on_re_us/virginia_tech_shooting_148