Skip to main content
CNN.com
Search
Home Asia Europe U.S. World Business Tech Science Entertainment Sport Travel Weather Specials Video I-Reports
U.S. News

Shooter: 'You have blood on your hands'

Story Highlights

• Killer's package was mailed to NBC between the two shootings Monday
• Cho complained about rich "brats" and their "hedonistic needs."
• Rambling message said he "died like Jesus Christ"
Adjust font size:
Decrease fontDecrease font
Enlarge fontEnlarge font

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (CNN) -- Cho Seung-Hui sent a multi-media package to NBC News that stated "you had a hundred billion chances and ways to avoid today" and now "you have blood on your hands."

Cho, 23, killed 32 people at Virginia Tech Monday before taking his own life.

NBC News reported that Cho mailed the package at 9:01 a.m. Monday -- during the two hours between the shootings at the West Ambler Johnston Hall dormitory and the shootings at Norris Hall.

The package included an 1,800 word statement described by NBC as "a manifesto" and 27 QuickTime videos showing Cho talking to the camera and discussing religion and his hatred of the wealthy.

Some photographs show Cho pointing a gun at the camera and at his head. In another photo, he is holding a knife to his throat. (Look at photographs Cho sent to NBC)

In the videos, Cho complained about hedonism and Christianity and said he felt he had no other choice.

"I didn't have to do it. I could have left. I could have fled. But now I am no longer running. If not for me, for my children and my brothers and sisters that you [expletive]. I did it for them."

Cho also tried to portray himself as a martyr and blamed others for his actions.

"You have vandalized my heart, raped my soul and torched my conscience. You thought it was one pathetic boy's life you were extinguishing. Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people."

In the videos, Cho spoke about the shootings in the past tense, but it is unclear when the video messages were recorded. He can be seen turning off the video camera, an indication that he taped the messages himself.

Cho discussed "martyrs like Eric and Dylan" on the tapes, an apparent reference to Columbine High School gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who killed 13 people and themselves on April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado.

Wealthy students at Virginia Tech were the target of much of Cho's anger.

"You had everything you wanted. Your Mercedes wasn't enough, you brats. Your golden necklaces weren't enough, you snobs. Your trust fund wasn't enough. Your vodka and cognac weren't enough. All your debaucheries weren't enough. Those weren't enough to fulfill your hedonistic needs. You had everything."

Excerpts from video

Cho's messages often were rambling and filled with hate.

• "You just loved to crucify me. You loved inducing cancer in my head, terror in my heart and ripping my soul all this time."

• "Do you know what it feels like to be spit on your face and have trash shoved down your throat? Do you know what it feels like to dig your own grave? Do you know what it feels like to have your throat slashed from ear to ear? Do you know what it feels like to be torched alive? Do you know what it feels like to be humiliated and be impaled upon a cross and left to bleed to death for your amusement?"

• "You have never felt a single ounce of pain your whole life. And you want to inject as much misery in our lives because you can, just because you can."


Follow Related Topics

Search TopicE-mail Alerts

story.cho.gun.nbc.jpg

Cho said "you have blood on your hands that will never wash off."

SPECIAL REPORT

Advertisement
CNN U.S.
CNN TV How To Get CNN Partner Hotels Contact Us Ad Info About Us Preferences
Search
© 2007 Cable News Network.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map.
SERVICES » E-mail RSSRSS Feed PodcastsRadio News Icon CNN Mobile CNN Pipeline
Offsite Icon External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pipeline Icon Pay service with live and archived video. Learn more