Family of Virginia Tech gunman says "deeply sorry" for campus shooting

The family of Virginia Tech gunman Cho Seung-Hui issued a statement on Friday, saying it has no words to express its sadness that 32 innocent people lost their lives in "a terrible, senseless tragedy" this week.

"On behalf of our family, we are so deeply sorry for the devastation my brother has caused. No words can express our sadness that 32 innocent people lost their lives this week in such a terrible, senseless tragedy. We are heartbroken," said the statement by Cho Sun-Kyung, sister of Cho Seung-Hui.

"We grieve alongside the families, the Virginia Tech community, our State of Virginia, and the rest of the nation. And, the world, " the statement said.

Cho Sun-Kyung said that she and her family feel "hopeless, helpless and lost," and "never could have envisioned that he (Cho Seung-Hui) was capable of so much violence."

"He has made the world weep. We are living a nightmare," she said.

It was the Chos' first public comment since the 23-year-old student killed 32 people and committed suicide Monday in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern American history.

"We pray for their families and loved ones who are experiencing so much excruciating grief. And we pray for those who were injured and for those whose lives are changed forever because of what they witnessed and experienced," the statement said.

"Each of these people had so much love, talent and gifts to offer, and their lives were cut short by a horrible and senseless act," it added.

Cho Sun-Kyung said her family was humbled by this darkness. "This is someone that I grew up with and loved. Now I feel like I didn't know this person," she mentioned his brother Cho Seung-Hui.

"We have always been a close, peaceful and loving family. My brother was quiet and reserved, yet struggled to fit in."

She said there is much justified anger and disbelief at what her brother did, and a lot of questions are left unanswered. Her family would continue to cooperate fully and do whatever it can to help authorities understand why these senseless acts happened. "We have many unanswered questions as well," she said.

"Our family is so very sorry for my brother's unspeakable actions. It is a terrible tragedy for all of us," the statement said.

Source: Xinhua