Girl Decapitated in Virginia Tech

On Wednesday January 21, 2009 at approximately 7:00 p.m, Yang Xin, a young graduate student from Beijing, was killed at the Au Bon Pain cafe on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. A large kitchen knife at the scene was identified as the murder weapon, and according to officials, Zhu Haiyang from Ningbo, China was identified as the murderer. Emergency records suggest that both the suspect and the victim knew eachother, and according to seven witnesses in the cafe at that time, there seemed no prior motivation. The police had reported that they recieved several 911 phone calls just minutes after the murder, and the officer had found Zhu holding Yang's head in his hand.


Several of Virgina Tech officials and spokeperson's offered their condolences to the families, and assured students at the university that they will offer help to students if they are experiencing any troubles. The retraumatizing effects of this murder have awakened many memories, for several Virginia Tech students, who were witness to the mass killings at the University in April 2007, when Cho Seung Hui killed 32 students and teachers, and later commited suicide. Counseling centers have been continued to run since the shooting to help students cope with losses of friends and family. Security measures have also been put in place, since the mass killing. Notifications were sent to subscribers of the network, sending messages of emergency alerts, warning students.

Opinion: Personally, this story sickens me to hear yet of another horrific killing at Virginia Tech University. As if the grief layed upon them wasn't enough in April 2007, when Cho Seung Hui killed 32 students and teachers, and later commited suicide. However, there all some positives, if minimal in relation, that can be taken away from this experience. Virginia Tech officials now know that perhaps personality profiling on students should be in place, that can judge whether students are in a healthy condition to stay in that university. To offer therapy to students on the university is a good idea, as a professional can relay information to officials whether a problem may occur. Offering more social activities to students can insure that they are involved in various activities with friends, and I think we can expect many more measures to be put in place in the near future.