Governor Kaine Orders Independent Investigation: Criticism of Virginia Tech's handling of massacre

Source: Washington Post, Page One

UNIVERSITY RESPONSE
Kaine Orders Independent Investigation
By Michael D. Shear and Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, April 18, 2007; Page A01

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) ordered an independent review yesterday of Virginia Tech's handling of Monday's massacre after 24 hours of criticism that the university waited too long to inform students and faculty of a potential danger.

Kaine's announcement came in response to a request from the school's president and board of visitors that the governor take the lead in finding a group of credible, experienced outside examiners. He said the investigation will cover actions taken Monday and questions about whether university officials were warned earlier that the shooter, Cho Seung Hui, was troubled.

As the shooting unfolded, Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said his department did everything it could to keep students safe. Yesterday, Kaine's top law enforcement officials praised Flinchum, calling the university's handling of the shooting "coordinated, prompt and professional."

At the time, Kaine was returning from an aborted trade mission to Japan. In a convocation speech after he returned, Kaine referred to questions about the response as "deep and troubling." Speaking to reporters later, he said he will appoint a panel of independent law enforcement officials to examine what the university knew about Cho and how it dealt with his rampage, which killed 32.

"There will be a very thorough after-action report," Kaine pledged. "Before we talk about any policy changes, we have to get an assessment of what occurred."

Among the questions was why it took campus police more than two hours after the initial shooting at a dormitory to inform students of danger. The delay could have exposed some students and faculty to danger, critics said....

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/17/AR2007041700912.html?hpid=topnews

student mental health problems in the future. I take it no one expects the gun dealer to report him to the school?

VT Admins and Cops screwed the pooch.

All this just proves that despite;

the "militarization of law enforcement", (more and heavier equipped SWAT Teams)
the lessons of the LA Riots,
the lessons of Columbine and other school shootings,
despite the lessons of the North Hollywood Shootout, i.e. acceding to demands for more and better weapons,

Law Enforcement is simply not as capable as they make themselves out to be except in the most mundane of circumstances. This was proven and continues to be proven in New Orleans post-Katrina.

And people wonder why people resist only letting the Police have guns.

cribbed from WNYC this morning

the young lady in this article claims she by-passed the lockdown in her dorm (West A.J. where the shootings took place) by going through an unsecured side door. She heard there had been a shooting or something there, but didn't think much of it. She and her fiance then went on to Norris Hall he to his class there, and he was killed shortly thereafter.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/18/AR2007041800034.html