On April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho opened fire on the Virginia Tech campus. Unfortunately, in an odd twist of fate, another student named Daniel Kim committed suicide because he felt he closely resembled the shooter in looks. Now, Kim’s parents are suing the university, arguing that school officials failed to respond to a warning letter from one of Kim’s friends that Kim became anguished and withdrawn after the shootings occurred.
Kim’s parents, Elizabeth and William Kim of Reston, VA have charged the university with negligence in the death of their 21-year-old son, who was a senior at the school. The lawsuit was filed Friday in Fairfax County Circuit Court and seeks $43 million in damages. Additionally, Elizabeth and William have also asked the university to help establish a law that requires state universities in Virginia to notify parents when they receive threat of a suicidal student.
According to the suit, university officials read and discussed the email sent by Kim’s friend. However, instead of following university policy that requires suicidal students be evaluated by a psychologist, school officials sent a police officer to speak to Kim. According to the police officer Kim appeared “okay” and university officials dismissed the initial email despite the friend’s belief that his concerns would be addressed. Nevertheless, university officials maintain that the appropriate measures were taken in the case.
