Documents from 2005 declare that Cho was mentally ill and an imminent danger to others.
(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - NBC News in New York received correspondence from Cho Seung-Hui about the shooting at Virginia Tech. It was revealed today that the package of information that arrived at the NBC studios through the mail includes writings and images and it is reported that it was mailed prior to, or between Monday's shootings.
The package that arrived at NBC New York on Wednesday included multiple photos, images and writings. NBC immediately contacted authorities. At this point the FBI has all of the information that NBC received, they say they are going over it.
Superintendent of Virginia State Police Steve Flahrety, says, "This is a critical new component of the investigation."
CNN's Wolf Blitzer says the story is changing by the hour right now as it develops through a series of twists and turns.
The information about NBC receiving a package from Cho comes amid the news that the shooter was declared to be mentally ill and a danger to others by a Virginia judge in late 2005.
Explaining the difficulty of this type of situation, one special judge in Virginia says it is difficult to take a person into custody even when they are declared an imminent danger.
Republican politics in the 1980's under the watch of Ronald Reagan permanently changed the American system that had always cared for the mentally ill. Since the late 1980's, many people like Cho have gone on to commit horrific crimes because of the elimination of government mental health programs.
Cho had recently bought his handguns used in the killing in a pawn shop.
Cho was contacted two times during his time at Virginia Tech by police over stalking women. Two of his roommates that appeared on television say they scarcely knew him, saying he was quiet, odd, and scary to some women on the campus.
They also said he had an imaginary girlfriend named "Jelly" who called him "Spanky." Cho described his imaginary girlfriend as having the appearance of a supermodel.
The Virginia judge says his hands are tied in a case like this, "After a full hearing and if the person has denied to be a voluntary patient, if there is clear and overwhelming evidence, I am still obligated to look at less restrictive means over incarceration if they are available and appropriate."
The documents from 2005 declare that he was mentally ill and an imminent danger to others. It also said he was "in need of hospitalization, so seriously mental ill, that he has to be incapable of caring for himself."
At least one professor has spoken out now to say that it was extremely clear that Cho was dangerous, and that she took steps to have him removed from her classroom.
See the other Salem-News.com reports on the Virginia Tech school shooting: April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Launches Memorial Website to Honor Shooting Victims (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Virginia Tech Gunman Identified (VIDEO)April 17, 2007: Victims, Gunman Names Coming Out from Massacre at Virginia TechApril 17, 2007: Memorial Fund Established in Wake of Virginia Tech MassacreApril 17, 2007: Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Virginia Tech TragedyApril 17, 2007: Massacre at Virginia Tech Leaves 33 DeadApril 16, 2007: Oregon Universities to Offer Counseling in Wake of Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: State Schools Superintendent Issues Statement on Virginia Tech ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Death Count at Virginia Tech rises to 33 Including GunmanApril 16, 2007: Death Toll Rises to 32 in Virginia Tech Campus ShootingsApril 16, 2007: Virginia Tech Campus Shootings Leave 22 Dead; Gunman KilledApril 16, 2007: Police Report Multiple Fatalities in Virginia School Shooting
NBC Received Package from Virginia Tech ShooterSalem-News.com