33 Confirmed Killed in Shooting at VA Tech

[Jon]

^ Yeah, I just heard a bit about that.

Seems he was a rather disturbed individual. Writing graphic (and disturbing) papers for what were supposed to be reports and essays. Including a pretty recent one rambling of suicide and getting rid of certain people (for how they were/acted, etc.).

[Raph's Girl]

Originally Posted by Jon

Writing graphic (and disturbing) papers for what were supposed to be reports and essays. Including a pretty recent one rambling of suicide and getting rid of certain people (for how they were/acted, etc.).

One of his essays, a play, was so disturbing that the teacher sent him to counceling. That play is online....I haven't read it but reading the plot synopsis certainly made me go "WTF?!"

He also left a note in his dorm stating his hatred for rich people.

[Sliced]

Again a case of a poor soul screaming for help, and no one really wanting to hear it. I mean it was just obvious.. The guy was treated for depression and was said to become very violent, mix that with the essays and the play...

The guy asked for help in his own ''way''.

[Katie]

Originally Posted by Sliced

Again a case of a poor soul screaming for help, and no one really wanting to hear it. I mean it was just obvious.. The guy was treated for depression and was said to become very violent, mix that with the essays and the play...

The guy asked for help in his own ''way''.

Well....he did get counseling, though....and the department head did reach out to him and try and connect with him. He had to WANT help to benefit from it and I have a feeling that he probably considered this help to be a front.

as for the depression....people are depressed and never do stuff like this (hell, I have been diagnosed with clinical depression a couple times in my life) They usually harm themselves not others.

As for his writing....it is an interesting window to his brain. People write violent things like that every day and would never dream of doing such a thing. the writing creates the output for their feelings and it never goes any farther. Just because you write it does not mean you're gonna do it.

Each of those things individually is not the beacon to tag and say "yep, that's it everyone who has/does this stuff will certianly follow suit" (I've seen alot of that today in the media "OH NOEZ THE STORIES HE WROTE")

BUT put them together and you may have a time bomb....Reasearchers have looked at what causes people to do things like this and have found three prominent pillers: Mental Disorders, Brain injury, and an Abusive history. the first two to impair judgement and the final to kindle the anger you need to carry out something as horrific as what we saw yesterday. It will be interesting to see the background of this guy and what was making him tick...and if he had all those three factors.

[Sliced]

Originally Posted by Katie

Well....he did get counseling, though....and the department head did reach out to him and try and connect with him. He had to WANT help to benefit from it and I have a feeling that he probably considered this help to be a front.

That's true, to want help is of course the first step.

as for the depression....people are depressed and never do stuff like this (hell, I have been diagnosed with clinical depression a couple times in my life) They usually harm themselves not others.

True again, but this guy was depressed, and quite violent and aggressive. Its not everyone who get depressed, that get that aggressive. Just that is a good indicator that he was unstable. Not just depressed.

As for his writing....it is an interesting window to his brain. People write violent things like that every day and would never dream of doing such a thing. the writing creates the output for their feelings and it never goes any farther. Just because you write it does not mean you're gonna do it.

No, but just mix that with my above comment, and you need to be careful with such people. Now, did it all happen in the same time.. The depression, the essays, the play, the level of aggressivity... This, we don't know. But it doesn't really matter, it just adds up to one another.

Each of those things individually is not the beacon to tag and say "yep, that's it everyone who has/does this stuff will certianly follow suit" (I've seen alot of that today in the media "OH NOEZ THE STORIES HE WROTE")

BUT put them together and you may have a time bomb....Reasearchers have looked at what causes people to do things like this and have found three prominent pillers: Mental Disorders, Brain injury, and an Abusive history. the first two to impair judgement and the final to kindle the anger you need to carry out something as horrific as what we saw yesterday. It will be interesting to see the background of this guy and what was making him tick...and if he had all those three factors

What we know so far : He did had mental disorders (depression and violence), brain injury might be emotional injury in this case as it was mentionned that he wanted to get his girlfriend. They surely broke up and that triggered the madness acts. As for Abusive history, we didn't have any details on that one yet that I remember.. Or you could maybe put the lost of his girlfriend in this category...

Really, we will of course be centered when we have all the details. But its pretty clear to me, that something could have been done for that guy, that never was done. I don't know what people can do in these kind of situation, but I'm sure that something more radical could have been done for him. But like I said, I don't know what...

[Cascadia]

What sounds like to me is that the papers and assignments that he wrote were warning signs that he was getting upset and depressed about something. It was good that professor requested that he would go see a counselor. However, it is difficult to determine how long ago that was.

This is what my local university suggest

Threats may be statements of intention or expressions of strong
emotion. They can be indirect or direct, verbal or nonverbal. Shaking
a fist, pounding a desk, throwing things, and showing a weapon are all
examples of nonverbal threats. Verbal threats may be indirect expressions
of frustration or anger directed toward a person or office, or they may be
direct statements of the intention to harm.

These situations are complex, and it is not expected that individuals will
be able to assess whether the threat is serious and might actually lead
to harm. However, it is expected that University employees treat every
threat or display of hate as serious and potentially harmful.
Most people who commit violent acts exhibit warning signs. It is
important that any behaviors or words that imply a threat are taken
seriously, and the appropriate people are notified to assess the risk and to
plan interventions.

[Katie]

She sent him to the counselor a year ago.


I just hate that anyone who writes anything even remotely dark for awhile will be under the microscope for possible future acts of violence. THAT'S my main pet peeve with them going all out on this writing thing.

I think it's awfully interesting how the media will latch on to certian things and bring those points up in EVERY interview that is done trying to support their ideas. (the notification and the writing being my main two at the moment)

Oh and...I REALLY feel bad for that guy's parents. Imagine the stigma they now have. Two more innocent victims.