What was Virginia Tech student gunman Cho Seung-Hui like? David, a VCU junior business major who asked that his last name not be used, recalled Seung-Hui in an interview with The CT. He recalled a shy student, often picked on by his peers. They were both students at Centreville High School before the opening of Westfield High School, to which Cho transferred.
How did you know Cho?
There was one class that I sat next to him for a while. It was a really big English/history class with 60 people in it. He always sat in the back. Sometimes the teachers would have to move him around, away from people.
What was he like?
He never said a word, ever. When asked to speak, he wouldn’t. People knew he wouldn’t talk so they’d be like, ‘What’s up?’ People liked putting him on the spot because he was really shy. He was really weird like that. Anytime people would make fun of him, he was obviously shy, but he never showed it. He was always relaxed.
There’s not really much to say about him. He never opened up to anyone. He was always wearing a jacket, even when it was hot.
Were you surprised when investigators identified him as the shooter?
Every single person knew he was someone that was capable of doing something like this. We weren’t shocked at all. It’s like everyone knew he was capable of doing this. That was kind of freaky that I predicted it. I knew he went to Tech.
How did the teachers deal with his silence?
(After students would complain he hadn’t spoken in front of the class,) the teachers would make him come up to the front of the room. He would not say a word and just stand in front of the class.
One time I remember he just said the word, ‘maggot.’ We couldn’t hear him say anything. We couldn’t tell if he was talking or just moving his mouth. It was really awkward (for students). He never looked awkward. He looked confident standing up there.
Were students or faculty afraid of him? Did anyone ever speak up?
I don’t think any student ever did. But the teachers definitely did notice (his behavior). He wouldn’t even talk. He wouldn’t respond back. When people tried to help, he just didn’t respond. He would just put his head down and not look them in the eye. They just let him be.
What did you think of his writings?
It wasn’t as graphic as some of the stuff I read in college. The thing is, the teacher really thought he was a good writer, and she asked him to share his writing. He didn’t even answer her. He would just look away. She would get other students to read it for him.
He complains about rich people in his “manifesto” and videos. Does some of that come from high school?
It’s just a really rich area. There are a lot of snobby, preppy kids. He said something (about hating rich kids) in his letter. A lot of people that kind of picked on him tended to be the popular, preppy, snobby kids, if you want to label them.