In the spring of 2007, the promise of a bright future was tragically cut short for Mary Karen Read, a 19-year-old female student at Virginia Tech. Born in Seoul, South Korea, to a military family, she had lived in various places before her family settled in Annandale, Virginia. A freshman majoring in interdisciplinary studies, Mary harbored dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher.
She was known for her radiant smile and a sweet personality that endeared her to many.
On the morning of April 16, 2007, Mary was in her French class in Norris Hall on the Blacksburg, Virginia, campus. It was on this day that a deeply troubled 23-year-old student named Seung-Hui Cho embarked on a horrific shooting rampage. Armed with two pistols, Cho moved through the halls of the university, leaving a trail of devastation. Mary, along with her professor and ten of her classmates, became victims of his senseless violence. In total, Cho killed thirty-two students and faculty members and wounded seventeen others before taking his own life.
The aftermath of the tragedy left the Virginia Tech community and the nation in shock and mourning. As the sole perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho's suicide concluded the immediate search for suspects, and no arrests were made in connection with the massacre. The investigation that followed focused on understanding the motives behind Cho's actions and examining the response of law enforcement and university officials. For Mary's family, the grief was immeasurable. In the days following her death, they discovered a notebook in her dorm room filled with her thoughts and inspirational quotes, including reflections on the importance of forgiveness. This discovery offered a glimpse into the compassionate young woman she was and provided a message of solace to a grieving community.
