Police: Cho fired 170 rounds in 9 minutes
Police: Gunman in Va. Tech Shooting Fired More Than 170 Shots in 9 Minutes
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
AP
BLACKSBURG, Va. -
The massacre inside a chained-shut Norris Hall went on for nine minutes as Seung-Hui Cho fired off 170 rounds, killing 30 people before shooting himself in the head, police revealed Wednesday. But they said investigators still don't know why Cho launched the bloody attack on his fellow students at Virginia Tech.
"We talk about possible motives and theories and whatnot, but we don't have any evidence to suggest anything," said State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty.
He said investigators had searched computer files, cell phone records and e-mails, and had compiled 500 pieces of evidence from Norris Hall alone.
Yet so far, nothing indicated a motive or close link between the 23-year-old loner and his victims, Flaherty said.
Two hours before Cho chained shut three public entrances to Norris Hall and started his rampage there, he gunned down his first two victims in a dormitory across campus. In between, a package was mailed to NBC containing Cho's videotaped tirade and written manifesto about rich "brats" and their "hedonistic needs."
Flaherty, who is overseeing the investigative team looking at the shootings, said police have been unable to answer one of the case's most vexing questions: Why the spree began at the West Ambler Johnston dormitory, and why 18-year-old freshman Emily Hilscher was the first victim.
Witnesses place Cho outside West Ambler Johnston shortly before 7:15 a.m., when he fired the two shots that killed Hilscher and 22-year-old senior Ryan Clark, a resident assistant at the dorm, Flaherty said.
It is not known how Cho got in.
Police searched Hilscher's e-mails and phone records looking for a link. While Flaherty would not discuss exactly what police found, he said neither Cho's nor Hilscher's records have revealed a connection.
"We certainly don't have any one motive that we are pursuing at this particular time, or that we have been able to pull together and formulate," Flaherty said. "It's frustrating because it's so personal, because we see the families and see the communities suffering, and we see they want answers."
In addition to the 170 rounds Cho fired inside Norris, investigators found unused ammunition in the building, though Flaherty was unsure how much was left.
Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum said Cho had a class this semester in Norris Hall, although it was not scheduled to meet on April 16, the day of the rampage.
Flinchum also said no evidence has been found to link Cho to any bomb threats on campus.
Flaherty cautioned that it could be months before the case is closed. The investigation will begin slowing down as authorities examine evidence, he said.
"If we get to a point when we reach the end of this investigation, whenever it is, and we don't have those answers that they need, it's really difficult to sit down and say I just don't know," he told The Associated Press in an interview.
Flaherty said they found no link between Cho and Clark, who was also killed at the dorm where he was a resident assistant. Nor do investigators know why Cho, an English major, selected Norris Hall - a building that is home primarily to engineering offices.
Frustrating their effort is the fact that Cho revealed himself to so few people. Even family members have said they rarely heard him speak.
"I guess the thing that is most startling to me, I say startling, surprising, is a young man who's 23 years old, that's been here for a while, that seemed to not know anybody," Flaherty said.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
AP
BLACKSBURG, Va. -
The massacre inside a chained-shut Norris Hall went on for nine minutes as Seung-Hui Cho fired off 170 rounds, killing 30 people before shooting himself in the head, police revealed Wednesday. But they said investigators still don't know why Cho launched the bloody attack on his fellow students at Virginia Tech.
"We talk about possible motives and theories and whatnot, but we don't have any evidence to suggest anything," said State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty.
He said investigators had searched computer files, cell phone records and e-mails, and had compiled 500 pieces of evidence from Norris Hall alone.
Yet so far, nothing indicated a motive or close link between the 23-year-old loner and his victims, Flaherty said.
Two hours before Cho chained shut three public entrances to Norris Hall and started his rampage there, he gunned down his first two victims in a dormitory across campus. In between, a package was mailed to NBC containing Cho's videotaped tirade and written manifesto about rich "brats" and their "hedonistic needs."
Flaherty, who is overseeing the investigative team looking at the shootings, said police have been unable to answer one of the case's most vexing questions: Why the spree began at the West Ambler Johnston dormitory, and why 18-year-old freshman Emily Hilscher was the first victim.
Witnesses place Cho outside West Ambler Johnston shortly before 7:15 a.m., when he fired the two shots that killed Hilscher and 22-year-old senior Ryan Clark, a resident assistant at the dorm, Flaherty said.
It is not known how Cho got in.
Police searched Hilscher's e-mails and phone records looking for a link. While Flaherty would not discuss exactly what police found, he said neither Cho's nor Hilscher's records have revealed a connection.
"We certainly don't have any one motive that we are pursuing at this particular time, or that we have been able to pull together and formulate," Flaherty said. "It's frustrating because it's so personal, because we see the families and see the communities suffering, and we see they want answers."
In addition to the 170 rounds Cho fired inside Norris, investigators found unused ammunition in the building, though Flaherty was unsure how much was left.
Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum said Cho had a class this semester in Norris Hall, although it was not scheduled to meet on April 16, the day of the rampage.
Flinchum also said no evidence has been found to link Cho to any bomb threats on campus.
Flaherty cautioned that it could be months before the case is closed. The investigation will begin slowing down as authorities examine evidence, he said.
"If we get to a point when we reach the end of this investigation, whenever it is, and we don't have those answers that they need, it's really difficult to sit down and say I just don't know," he told The Associated Press in an interview.
Flaherty said they found no link between Cho and Clark, who was also killed at the dorm where he was a resident assistant. Nor do investigators know why Cho, an English major, selected Norris Hall - a building that is home primarily to engineering offices.
Frustrating their effort is the fact that Cho revealed himself to so few people. Even family members have said they rarely heard him speak.
"I guess the thing that is most startling to me, I say startling, surprising, is a young man who's 23 years old, that's been here for a while, that seemed to not know anybody," Flaherty said.
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Personally....I DON'T CARE!!!!
Your only giving this guy what he wants...anyways 170 rounds in 9 minutes, how slow!0 -
Agreed. If we would stop memorializing him (and others) perhaps some of these losers would find other ways to get their jollies. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Gunz
Personally....I DON'T CARE!!!!
Your only giving this guy what he wants...anyways 170 rounds in 9 minutes, how slow!
I care from the stand point of what the uneducated anti-gunners think.
It gives some interesting numbers too. One round every 3-1/2 seconds or so, and a little over 3 rounds per injury or death. Makes me wonder if he was using the "two in the chest, one in the head" logic.
This is not to give him credit or fame, it's important we know so we can better understand the person and the situation so we can recognize them sooner and know better how to react to save ourselves if ever in the same position.0 -
that's an average of 3.17 seconds per shot, i can shoot 8 rounds per second, so i could have fired 4,320 theoretically
they wonder why there are copy cats0 -
That is interesting to know that it took nine minutes.
Let's see, the call goes in to 911, and then the call goes out from 911. That could take two minutes.
Then, it seems to me that in three more minutes, at least three officers would be there at that building.
It seems to me that the first three officers should have shot out that glass door, and headed to the sound of the firing. Could have saved a few lives, anyway.
Does that sound rash? Might that have gotten a policeman shot?
If the police are not risking their lives in a situation like this, they are not "serving and protecting."0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
i can shoot 8 rounds per second, so i could have fired 4,320 theoretically
they wonder why there are copy cats
True, but I think it would be very hard to hold up to that level for 9 straight minutes and include reloads. I also doubt that any barrel would hold up to 4,320 round in 9 minutes without burning up.
For a non-trained shooter, he did pretty well on time and accuracy. My surprise is that just like on most of the 911 flights, no one fought back! If I know he's shooting everyone, and I'm going down too, I'm going to try to rush him or stop him.0 -
dheff,
Uneducated anti-gunners will always find a way to demonize guns.
If Cho had fired only 32 rounds, they'd be screaming about how "deadly" all guns are. "He only needed one shot to kill each victim!"
But Cho fired over 100 rounds and they're wetting themselves about how "deadly" all guns are. "He could carry hundreds of bullets! Oh the humanity!"
Ignorance will always find its own excuse to justify its narrow world view.0 -
quote: I also doubt that any barrel would hold up to 4,320 round in 9 minutes without burning up.
just like any machine gun it was pro-rated, but if you where cho would you care if the barrel melted?, not to mention the serious carpel tunnel you would get, i typically go through 500 rounds a session with all of them being rapid fire, between reloading the magazines, and picking up my brass it takes about 20 minutes if no one stops and bothers me, then it gets drug out0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
quote: I also doubt that any barrel would hold up to 4,320 round in 9 minutes without burning up.
just like any machine gun it was pro-rated, but if you where cho would you care if the barrel melted?, not to mention the serious carpel tunnel you would get, i typically go through 500 rounds a session with all of them being rapid fire, between reloading the magazines, and picking up my brass it takes about 20 minutes if no one stops and bothers me, then it gets drug out
I also doubt if your hand or arms would hold up to 4,320 round in 9 minutes. I wonder if he was out of ammo or stopped from fatigue? Either way, I glad he killed himself and saved the taxpayers the money of a trial and incarceration.0 -
1911a1fan? I think that sounds like a challange..... 0 -
quote:I also doubt if your hand or arms would hold up to 4,320 round in 9 minutes. I wonder if he was out of ammo or stopped from fatigue? Either way, I glad he killed himself and saved the taxpayers the money of a trial and incarceration.
i have went 1,200 rounds from one hand gun a few times, after about 1,000 rapid fire you really begin to feel it through out you upper body, i wondered the same thing as to why he stopped when it happened
quote:1911a1fan? I think that sounds like a challange.....
exactly what i was referring to, i also wondered if he was trying for a record0 -
quote:Originally posted by iceracerx
1911a1fan? I think that sounds like a challange.....
That's no challenge. Heck, that's $500 of ammo and destruction of a gun. Who wants to do that to prove a point?[}:)]0 -
This was a semi automatic right? [:o)][:o)]
Think if the moron had a silencer?
Think if he had a buzz saw full auto subgun?0 -
Interesting. Thanks for posting it. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
That is interesting to know that it took nine minutes.
Let's see, the call goes in to 911, and then the call goes out from 911. That could take two minutes.
Then, it seems to me that in three more minutes, at least three officers would be there at that building.
It seems to me that the first three officers should have shot out that glass door, and headed to the sound of the firing. Could have saved a few lives, anyway.
Does that sound rash? Might that have gotten a policeman shot?
If the police are not risking their lives in a situation like this, they are not "serving and protecting."
It is important because it shows the speed with which the police responded.
The first report of shooting, by the people that called took about 1 1/2 minutes after the first shot. Making the call to 911, 911 dispatching and the drive to Norris...that could have consumed 3 or 4 minutes, easy. The police Immediately tried to enter but found the doors chained. By their account it took about 1 1/2 minutes to get bolt cutter at the door and gain entrance. That is at best a seven minute lead time.
The cops at Tech did their job and did it quickly. Compared to Columbine these guys are heros and prevented more death.0 -
well he had plenty of time to aim then. 0 -
Wasn't trying to stir the pot..... but I've shot 1000 rounds out of my National Match 45 in a day.... and yes, paid the price with a sore shoulder for a day or two.
Nice thing about most semi auto pistols, you can replace the barrel.
I'd like to give it a try with my Kimber!!! OUCH0 -
quote:i can shoot 8 rounds per second,what the
how quick are your spilts with a 450 -
quote:"If we get to a point when we reach the end of this investigation, whenever it is, and we don't have those answers that they need, it's really difficult to sit down and say I just don't know," he told The Associated Press in an interview.
Spend another $2 million on "the investigation", we'll still NEVER REALLY KNOW why this lunatic went sideways ,,,,,,,,, that's the thing about lunatics!
If the wounded victims and families of the dead need "answers" to some questions before they can move on, they'll never be able to move on, because those answers cannot be found.[:(]0 -
quote:Originally posted by shootlow
quote:i can shoot 8 rounds per second,what the
how quick are your spilts with a 45
on a good day .12, but my honest average is .15 though, transitions .18, average .22, ipsc reload .70, w 170 pf loads0 -
Leave it. He's not worth the commentary. 0
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