(April 19, 2007)—Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is appointing an independent review panel to study the tragic events at Virginia Tech earlier this week.

Former State Police Superintendent Gerald Massengill will head the fact-finding group.

Speaking in Richmond Thursday afternoon, Kaine was joined by Massengill when he announced the panel's formation.

Kaine says the group will focus on three areas: the background of the shooter, Cho Seung-Hui; a timeline of the events from the moment the first shots were fired until the gunman took his own life and the response by all agencies involved once the extent of the tragedy was known.

"This panel will provide a thoughtful, objective analysis of the circumstances leading up to, during, and immediately after Monday's horrible events. What we learn could result in fresh ideas that will help bolster the safety of our young people on campuses in communities across the country,” Kaine said.

Panel Members
(Source: Virginia Governor’s Office)

Retired Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Gerald Massengill will chair the panel. He led the state's law-enforcement response to the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon in Northern Virginia and the 2002 sniper attacks. Massengill retired in 2003 after 37 years in the Virginia State Police, and came out of retirement in 2005 to serve as interim director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for 18 months.

Tom Ridge served as the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2003-2005). He previously served as Governor of Pennsylvania (1995-2001) and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1983-1995). He currently consults on a variety of national and international issues.

Gordon Davies served as Director for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for 20 years (1977-1997). He previously served as President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (1998-2002), and recently directed a project to improve state higher education policy making.

Roger L. Depue, Ph. D., has over 20 years experience at the FBI, most recently as Administrator at the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. Depue is the founder, past president and CEO of The Academy Group, Inc., a forensic behavioral sciences services business for consultation, research, training, and investigation of aberrant and violent behavioral problems.

Aradhana A. "Bela" Sood, M.D., FAACAP is Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Virginia Treatment Center for Children at VCU Medical Center.

Dr. Marcus L. Martin is the Assistant Dean for the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia. He is also a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Martin previously served as the Chairman for the Health System at the University of Virginia, Department of Emergency Medicine.tor for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for 20 years (1977-1997). He previously served as President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (1998-2002), and recently directed a project to improve state higher education policy making.

Roger L. Depue, Ph. D., has over 20 years experience at the FBI, most recently as Administrator at the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. Depue is the founder, past president and CEO of The Academy Group, Inc., a forensic behavioral sciences services business for consultation, research, training, and investigation of aberrant and violent behavioral problems.

Aradhana A. "Bela" Sood, M.D., FAACAP is Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Virginia Treatment Center for Children at VCU Medical Center.

Dr. Marcus L. Martin is the Assistant Dean for the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia. He is also a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Martin previously served as the Chairman for the Health System at the University of Virginia, Department of Emergency Medicine.

Click Here For Virginia Tech Web Site

More Local And State News >>More National News >>More Business News >>Sports >> Weather >>