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With all great tragedies, warning signs are missed. Before 9/11, no one listened to the FBI's wiretaps on "chatter" about a terrorist plot using American jetliners. Months prior to Katrina, state officials never strengthed the levees. They knew a Category 5 hurricane would flood the low-lying, low-income neighborhoods. Weeks prior to Virginia Tech's shooting, the shooter, Seung-Hui Cho had several, mental evaluations. He threatened female students. He wrote violent-based lyrics and drew grotesque images in Creative Writing class. His professor, Nikki Giovanni, conveyed to administrators concerns for his and others' well-being. The pleas went unheeded. Now, we have 32 people to mourn for last year's massacre.

What could be said to over 20, grieving families?

"We're sorry for your loss."

"You have our sympathies."

"They were good people."

S.W.A.T. and police found Norris Hall's entrance doors chained up. The shooter was able to methodically execute people through hallways. He entered classroom unimpeded and shot whoever sought shelter. Only for the sacrifice of instructor, Liviu Libsecru, Cho would've killed over 50 people; instead of 32. Residential Assistant, Ryan Clark gave his life to save a female student when the shooter entered a co-ed dorm. However, the real insult occurred in a two-hour, grace period.

Virginia Tech University never locked down their campus. Cho committed his first murders at 7 a.m. He mailed a videotape that revealed his heinous plot of revenge. NBC got a hold of the tape. They played the vile images of a troubled student brandishing a hunting knife, a .22 caliber pistol and a 9mm Glock revolver. He grinned. He boasted. He ridiculed his future victims. He referred to himself as a Jesus who was tortured for his beliefs. Cho became a messiah for the irrational. After mailing his video "diary", he came back to shoot up Norris Hall.

"Hey, I get teased in school! Let me go out and mow down my classmates!" Some have thought. His inspiration came from the killers at Columbine High. The internet has Cho's uncensored, 30-minute video. For humanity's sake, that video should be destroyed.

The nation learned from Virginia Tech's sorrow. College campuses have emergency text systems to warn students of armed assailants. The university spent $10 million improving their on-campus security as well. On April 16, 2007, a lot of blood was shed. A year later, a lot of lives were saved.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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