On the morning of his killing spree, Cho Seung-Hui took the time to mail a package of disturbing videos, writings and images to NBC News. Seung-Hui probably mailed the package after killing two students at a dorm early in the morning, before his mass murdering rampage at Norris Hall, the classroom building.

In the package, Seung-Hui included incoherent notes, pictures and sick messages of imaginary persecution. He railed against “rich kids” and claimed that his acts of destruction were caused by others. According to Seung-Hui, “You forced me into a corner and gave me only one option.”  He does not identify who the “you” is, but he was angry at just about everyone. 

His 1,800 word manifesto is a rambling and paranoid diatribe railing against the outside world that the killer felt was allied against him. Of course his comments are the crazed ravings of a lunatic, but, sadly, one who turned into a mass murderer. He considered himself a mass murderer and even wrote about camaraderie with the infamous Columbine killers.

For years, Seung-Hui displayed clear warning signs of mental illness. Virginia Tech authorities, mental health officials and the police were aware of his anti-social and disturbing behavior.  In fact, anyone who interacted with Seung-Hui knew he had serious problems. He told his roommate he had an imaginary girlfriend. Seung-Hui had plenty of trouble interacting with women and on multiple occasions was accused of stalking girls on campus. He was also reprimanded for taking photos of girls under his desk.

In his English class, he wrote about such disturbing topics that his professor reported him to the authorities. In another class, many of Seung-Hui’s classmates withdrew because they did not want to be around such a disturbed individual.

For years, people knew Seung-Hui was a problem. Yet he was allowed to continue interacting with other students and was not institutionalized. Tragically, the authorities did not appreciate the gravity of his clear warning signs of mental illness and his tendency toward violent actions.

In December of 2005, he was declared mentally ill by a special judge and sent to a mental institution. But instead of involuntary admission into a mental hospital, the judge ruled that outpatient treatment was allowable. So, a soon-to-be killer was sent back on campus where he did not get better and only became more of a threat. He took action this week and ended the lives of some of the best and brightest people this country has to offer. Young scholars and exemplary professors were among Seung-Hui’s victims.

As the Columbine killings gave us lessons on how to protect high schools across the country, the Virginia Tech massacre needs to be studied so that steps can be taken to protect college students. Right now, in other college campus settings, crazy individuals are plotting about exacting revenge against the world. Hopefully, the warning signs will not be missed and quick action can be taken to save lives. Individuals that are psychotic such as Seung-Hui do not belong in institutions of higher learning; they belong in other types of institutions, such as correctional and mental health, that offer protection to society at large.

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.