VT Gunman's Family issues statement

[pab]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:23pm

"BLACKSBURG, Va. — The family of Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho told The Associated Press on Friday that they feel "hopeless, helpless and lost," and "never could have envisioned that he was capable of so much violence."

"He has made the world weep. We are living a nightmare," said a statement issued by Cho's sister, Sun-Kyung Cho, on the family's behalf. It was the Chos' first public comment since the 23-year-old student killed 32 people and committed suicide Monday.

The family reached out to Raleigh, N.C., lawyer Wade Smith, who provided the statement to the AP. Smith said the family would not answer any questions."
Va. Gunman's Family Feels Hopeless, Lost

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:24pm

I feel so badly for them. I hope they can get help in dealing with this. It must be a terrible burden for them.

[Dark_Angel]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:33pm

I feel bad for them as well. The whole thing is just a nightmare.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:47pm

I feel so bad for them. His parents are going to be questioning themselves for the rest of their lives. They not only have to deal with the loss of their own family member but the fact that he devastated and destroyed so many lives. No one raises a person to create this kind of carnage.

[mominator]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:48pm

This family must be in a h*ll that I can not even begin to imagine. Prayers are with them as well.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:50pm

"He has made the world weep". Can you imagine feeling that way about your son?

I hope they are able to find help in dealing with this. It's simply heartbreaking.

Updated On: 4/20/07 at 05:50 PM

[mominator]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 5:53pm

I do hope that they will be able to find peace.

[DG]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 6:01pm

There is no real understanding of what they're experiencing - like all the rest of this horror, it is simply unimaginable.

Yes, I do hope they can eventually find some semblance of peace in their hearts - although, I have a feeling this is something that will be very close in their minds and hearts for the rest of their lives.

My biggest concern is that they be left alone to try and find a way to cope. I am amazed that they have been able to keep themselves protected and isolated, but help in that arena is sure to fade over time - and possibly sooner than later.

[Blonde]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 6:10pm

So terrible. And they can't really reach out as others who have been affected by the tragedy which is very sad. They are in my prayers.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 6:18pm

I was just saying this morning that I couldn't even imagine what Cho's family must be going through... My heart truly goes out to them.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 12:12am

I only hope that no one tries to harm them. There is no way they could have known he would do that, and it could very well be harder for them to deal with this tragedy than the families and friends of the victims. My heart goes out to everyone involved.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 12:14am

I feel simply horrible for them. I can't imagine what they're going through.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 12:17am

You know the first time I watched about VT on the news with my mom, the first thing she said is "That boy was someone's baby." I wouldn't have even thought of it that way. But she's right..."he made the world weep.." I don't even know how someone can go through this.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:45am

nothing but good can come out of tragedies so i'm hoping that something positive will be gleaned from this horrific event and inspire those who are troubled to seek the help that they so desperately need. and that doesn't mean psychiatry or therapy. simply talking about your problems and opening up can be amazingly therapuetic.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:13am

While I do feel bad and sad about them, I can't help but think, that if they had seen the signs and done something about it, maybe, just maybe, this tragedy could have been avoided ! I do believe that family plays a huge part in how we turn out to be !

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 7:32am

Yeah but what parent thinks that signs could lead to their son killing 32 people? They probably thought he was just introverted and quiet. I feel so bad for them, it must be hell having people think that they raised him badly or even believing themselves that it was somehow their fault

[Holly Therese]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 8:22am

I think this has to be the worst for his family. I can't imagine hearing on the news that there was a shooting at my son's school and not being able to reach him. You'd have to assume that he'd been shot, but then imagine recieving a phone call that he in actuality did it all.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:46am

While I do feel bad and sad about them, I can't help but think, that if they had seen the signs and done something about it, maybe, just maybe, this tragedy could have been avoided ! I do believe that family plays a huge part in how we turn out to be !

And this is one of the reasons I worry about them. Because people think this way. I personally know a few people with mental illnesses, and I can tell you, sometimes the family is just fantastic, and has done everything possible to help, and their child still turns out to be a complete and utter mess.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 12:09pm

I may sound harsh, but honestly, I feel a lot more about the families of the innocent victims, than the family of this horrific killer ! He was their offspring and he had their DNA, they ARE a bit responsible ! Of course they didn't know he was going to be a mass-murderer, but they must have seen his tendencies and feelings towards his fellow students. Why didn't they ask for help ? I know some of you are going to judge me harshly, but that's how I feel ! I simply HATE murderers and terorrists ! I mean, think for a minute. Did you also care about Osama's family after 9/11 ? I certainly did not and I am not even an American !

[erikaamato]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 12:22pm

Greekmusicalfan: You don't sound harsh, but you do sound very closed-minded. Of course I care much more about the victims and their families, but that doesn't mean I can't have deep compassion for the killer's family, as well. And believe it or not, yes I actually did wonder about the effect on Osama bin Laden's family...particularly the ones living in America. I'm sure they're not all terrorists or have terrorist agendas. (And I'm sure some of them do.) What a horrible legacy to have to endure. What must it have been like to be Hitler's cousin? Do you just go out and immediately change the family name? You know what I mean? The VT killer's sister is - from all accounts - a very accomplished Princeton graduate just starting her career in the public sector. Now she gets to be defined as the sister of the worst mass-murderer in American history.

And as for your DNA comment, so should parents feel GUILTY because their child gets leukemia? After all, "the child has their DNA, so they are a bit responsible!" Updated On: 4/21/07 at 12:22 PM

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:00pm

I'm with erikaamato on this one. Yes, the family of the innocent victims have to live without their loved ones for no reason, but HIS family has to live without their loved one AND with the knowledge that "he made the world cry". For the love of God PLEASE don't associate this with Osama and if we feel badly for him because it's a different issue for some of us in that I was made fun of everyday because my father is from Iraq and people associate that with terrorism, and THEN they somehow come to the conclusion that I am half terrorist and I know Osama. So do I feel bad for his family? Yeah, I know only a TASTE of what they have to go through. That's how these things work. And it's completely different, it really is. Your opinion is your opinion but I really don't think the family should even be partially blamed. IF they BRED him to kill then yes. You could blame them. But they weren't like that. Ask for help? Maybe they did. You'd be surprised how many pleas for help go unanswered. For me, that's the main issue with the shooter. I mean I didn't know him, so I don't know if people tried to help or not, but a feeling is that he didn't get enough help from anyone...not just his family. That's so sad.

And we all hate murderers and terrorists and meaningless killers, and I think that even if some sort of mental instability is in your DNA, precautions can be made and you can always be helped.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:00 PM

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 4:03pm

oh yeah greek, how dare they have kids when they KNOW that the killer gene is in their family!
his parents probably blame themselves enough, they dont need other people doing it for them.

[pemberlee]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 4:08pm

I don't think the parents should be blamed until we know more. Certainly they shouldn't be blamed just for sharing his DNA! Most likely they are already blaming themselves enough already. Anyone who has a child that commits suicide is bound to feel some sort of guilt and in this case it's compounded by the murders as well.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:51pm

I think you didn't get my meaning and maybe it's my fault ! I don't BLAME them for what happened. I am just saying, that I have so much sympathy for the innocent victims families', that I can not spare much for the family this monster was bred, raised and got his values from ! And don't forget that I am speaking based on MY culture, in which, family plays a very big part on how you turn out to be ! This is my opinion, maybe it's not politically correct, but it's how i feel !
Peace

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:57pm

Greek, I understand what you mean and in many cases, I agree with you, but regarding this istuation, by your logic, how do you explain why one daughter thrived and became a successful Princeton graduate, and the son turned out the way he did?