US campus shooting killer identified as S. Korean

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-18-2007 08:08

Cho Seung-Hui, a student from South Korea identified as the gunman who killed 32 people at Virginia Tech University, is seen in this police handout released April 17, 2007. [Reuters]

In the United States, police have identified the killer behind the worst shooting spree in American history. They've named a 23-year-old South Korean student, Cho Seung-Hui, as the gunman who killed thirty-two people before killing himself in Monday's shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University.

Police and university officials have offered no clues as to why Cho carried out what is considered the deadliest shooting rampage in modern US history.

News reports say Cho may have been taking medication for depression, and that he was becoming increasingly violent and erratic. They say Cho left a note in his dormitory in which he railed against "rich kids,""debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus.

The shootings were carried out in two stages, more than two hours apart, on Monday. The first took place in a dormitory, where two people were killed. The second was inside a classroom building, where Cho committed suicide after killing 30 people.

On Tuesday, thousands of students and staff from Virginia Tech attended a convocation in memory of the victims.

US President George W Bush spoke at the ceremony, saying that he prays for comfort for the many victims and their friends and family.

Bush said, "People who have never met you are praying for you. They are praying for your friends who have fallen, and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God."

Meanwhile, reporters and police gathered outside Cho's family home, a town house in Centreville, Virginia.

Several neighbours described the family as "nice" and "quiet", but most had never met the 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui.

Editor:Du Xiaodan