Breit Drescher & Imprevento Blog

Two Families Sue For Wrongful Death In VA Tech Shootings

On the second anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, in which 32 people were killed on campus by senior Seung-Hui Cho, two families of the victims are suing for gross negligence and wrongful death.

Among those facing the lawsuits are Cho's estate, the parents of Erin N. Peterson and Julia K. Pryde are suing Virginia Tech itself, its counseling center, the local mental-health agency and several top officials involved with the case including the college's president.

The families both put forth that although a double homicide was reported before the other shooting took place, officials did not alarm the rest of the school that there may be a murder suspect on the loose on campus. Not only did officials delay to release a warning, the parents argue that the mental health center that treated Cho could and should have also prevented the tragedy.

The wrongful death suit, which was filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court, is made up of ten separate counts and asks $10 million in damages.