Thorough Review Set Of Va. Tech

RICHMOND, May 1 -- Retired Virginia State Police superintendent W. Gerald Massengill said Tuesday that beginning next week, the panel looking into the massacre at Virginia Tech will examine the "entire event," including such potentially volatile issues as how people obtain guns in Virginia.

Massengill, chairman of the eight-member commission, said the group's first meeting will be May 10 in Richmond. The panel is seeking to answer how and why Seung Hui Cho of Fairfax County killed 32 people and himself April 16.

Although the commission's full agenda won't be determined until after its first meeting, Massengill released an outline of what he said he hopes panel members can accomplish.

He said the panel will scrutinize the state's mental health system; review the police response to the shooting; analyze post-traumatic stress on first responders; and explore gun issues, including whether college students should be allowed to carry firearms on campus.

By agreeing to look into how Cho obtained his weapons and whether students should be allowed to carry guns, Massengill appears ready to explore the divisive issue of whether Virginia has stringent enough controls on the sale of firearms.

"I am calling it a comprehensive case study. The bottom line is we will be taking an in-depth look at the entire incident," said Massengill, who wants the commission's findings to become a "template and a model" for colleges and governments across the country.

The panel includes specialists in psychology, law, forensics and higher education, as well as former U.S. homeland security director Tom Ridge.

Massengill raised the possibility that the panel would need additional time because the investigation might be slowed by privacy laws. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who appointed the panel, has said he wanted its recommendations by the end of summer so colleges can act on some of them before the school year starts.

Massengill told Kaine on Tuesday that the panel should have preliminary recommendations in August but might not complete its work until fall.

Although he said he is confident the panel eventually will have access to the information it needs, Massengill said state police won't be able to turn over all the evidence they collected during their investigation, which is ongoing.

The commission, which doesn't have subpoena power, might also not be able to access some of Cho's academic and medical records, Massengill said. But he said he does not "anticipate any problem getting people to appear" before the commission, including, perhaps, Cho's parents and sister.

"We want to learn as much as we can about the shooter," Massengill said.