The horror; the horror...

I imagine that Hui's soul was a vacuum, absorbing anger from every perceived slight. The pressure continued to build, never relieved by the pleasure of human companionship. It began to spill over in attacks on people, places, and things, each act more violent than the last. Finally, Hui erupted, washing the campus in innocent blood along with his own.

Some people say he was a quiet boy. Others say he was a disturbed writer. Still others say he was a loner with a chip on his shoulder, particularly against the rich. It's said he was a dorm arsonist. Taken as a whole, this information sends up a huge red flag. But nobody, certainly nobody with the power to influence Hui's course, recognized it.

Living in large cities and widening suburban sprawl, attached to our computers and cell phones, we've no connection to the strangers and nodding acquaintances around us. Thirty years ago, if a troubled person passed by, most everyone in the neighborhood, if not the whole community, saw him or heard about him immediately. Nowadays, people do not share observations until after the fact.

Perhaps it's fallen to each of us to police our personal space and that of our loved ones, taking note of strangers; the quiet, angry, self-pitying types. Are they all dangerous? Maybe not. But if they were to withdraw into their personal hell and display violence, I wouldn't want to be the target. Misgivings should be brought to the attention of local authorities responsible for our well-being. If enough red flags are waved, maybe more of these tragedies could be averted.

I can't imagine this is the last or the worst of these events to occur. We can only keep our eyes open, hope for the best, and pray -- for the victims and an end to the madness.

DL