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Virginia Tech and Lessons Learned

Virginia Tech and Lessons Learned. Allyson K. Tysinger Assistant Attorney General Virginia. What we know Virginia Tech Review Panel findings. Cho was a shy, quiet child Came to the US when he was 8 In 6 th grade, teachers met with his parents because he was very withdrawn. 1997.

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Virginia Tech and Lessons Learned

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  1. Virginia Tech and Lessons Learned Allyson K. Tysinger Assistant Attorney General Virginia

  2. What we knowVirginia Tech Review Panel findings • Cho was a shy, quiet child • Came to the US when he was 8 • In 6th grade, teachers met with his parents because he was very withdrawn

  3. 1997 • The summer before 7th grade, Cho started to receive counseling to address his shy, introverted nature • Diagnosed with selective mutism

  4. 1999 • During 8th grade, teachers identify homicidal and suicidal ideations in his writing • School requests his parents obtain counseling for him • After a psychiatric evaluation, prescribed an antidepressant • Responded well; taken off med within 1 year

  5. 2000 • IEP developed in high school to address his shyness and lack of responsiveness in the classroom • Therapy was continued • Good grades • No behavior issues

  6. 2003 • Graduates high school • GPA 3.5 in Honors Program • Decides to attend Virginia Tech against the advice of parents and counselors who believe it is too large • Given name of a contact person at the high school who he can call for help – he never does

  7. 2003 – Freshman Year • No counseling sought or received • Parents make weekly trips to visit • Good grades

  8. 2004 – Sophomore Year • Switched major to English from Business Information Systems • Growing passion for writing noted by his family but he is secretive about the content of his writing • Submits book idea to a publisher

  9. 2004 – Sophomore Year cont’d • Publisher rejects book idea • Family noticed that Cho seemed depressed • No counseling sought or received

  10. 2005 – Junior Year • At a party, stabs at carpet in a girl’s room with a knife in presence of suitemates • Violence in writing noted by Prof. Giovanni • Removed from class; Dr. Roy begins tutoring 1 on 1 • Cho refuses counseling; Dr. Roy notifies Student Affairs, Cook Counseling Ctr; Schiffert Health Ctr; VT Police

  11. 2005 – Junior Year cont’d • Nov. 27, 2005 – Female resident reports “annoying contact” with Cho to VT Police; No charges pressed; Cho referred to Judicial Affairs • Nov. 30, 2005 – Cho calls Cook Counseling Ctr and is screened by phone

  12. 2005 – Junior Year cont’d • December 12, 2007 • Another female resident files a complaint against Cho for disturbing IMs • Cho misses a scheduled appointment at Cook Counseling Ctr but is screened again by phone

  13. 2005 – Junior Year cont’d • December 13, 2005 • VT Police tell Cho to stay away from girl • Cho sends IM to suitemate saying he might as well kill himself • VT Police alerted to threat and take Cho to the VTPD • Cho is evaluated by a CSB prescreener who finds him to be an imminent danger to self or others • TDO issued and Cho taken to psychiatric hospital

  14. 2005 – Junior Year cont’d • December 14, 2005 • 7:00 a.m. Evaluated by independent examiner who finds that he does not present an imminent danger to self • 11:00 a.m. Commitment hearing held • Outpatient commitment ordered • 12:00 p.m. Cho is released • 3:00 p.m. Cho is screened in person at Cook Counseling Ctr

  15. 2006 – Junior Year cont’d • Spring 2006 • Cho writes paper for class about a young man who hates students at his school and plans to kill them and himself

  16. 2006 – Senior Year • Prof. Norris notifies Associate Dean regarding Cho • Prof. Norris encourages Cho to go to counseling with her but he declines • Prof. Falco confers with Profs. Roy and Norris

  17. 2007 – Senior Year cont’d • February 2, 2007 – Cho orders handgun online • February 9, 2007 – Cho picks up handgun • March 12, 2007 – Cho rents a van • March 13, 2007 – Cho buys a Glock and ammo. Store does background check but finds no records of mental health issues • March 22-April 7, 2007 – Cho buys more ammo and chains

  18. 2007 – Senior year cont’d • April 15, 2007 – Cho places weekly Sunday night call to his parents. They describe the call as normal with no cause for concern.

  19. Tragedy – April 16, 2007 • 7:15 a.m. Two students shot and killed at West Ambler Johnston • 9:01 a.m. Cho mails package with pictures and diatribe to NBC • 9:40-9:51 a.m. Norris Hall • 174 rounds fired • 30 killed, 17 wounded

  20. Lessons Learned • Talk to your universities • What health services are provided? • If mental health services are provided, does it include both voluntary and involuntary • Are there links to community services • What does the university do with mental health services records and information? • HIPAA vs FERPA • Exchanges of information

  21. Lessons Learned • Guns and Commitment Orders • Are commitment orders being reported to the databank? • Should they be? • Which orders should be reported? • Who is responsible for reporting?

  22. Lessons Learned • Outpatient commitment • Who is responsible for monitoring compliance? • Who is responsible for notifying the monitoring entity of the commitment? • What happens if an individual is noncompliant with an outpatient treatment order?

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