AP Features, April 21st, 2007
The Virginia Tech killer went to eBay to buy ammunition clips for one of the types of guns he used in Monday's rampage, a spokesman for the auction Web site confirmed Saturday.
Using the handle Blazers5505, Seung-Hui Cho bought two 10-round magazines for the Walther P22 _ one of two handguns used in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, which left 33 dead, including Cho. The clips were bought March 22 from a gun shop in Idaho.
"It's apparent that he purchased the empty magazine clips," eBay spokesman Hani Durzy said. "They're similar to what could be purchased in any sporting goods store around the country."
Cho also sold several books with violent themes, tickets to Virginia Tech football games and a graphics calculator that contained several games. The site says Cho had an account since January 2004.
Computer forensics have played a major role in the investigation into why Cho carried out the massacre. Authorities are examining the personal computers found in his dormitory room.
Authorities are seeking Cho's cell phone records in case he warned someone about the shootings. They also hope to glean any relevant information from his e-mail and that of Emily Hilscher, one of the first two victims.
"Seung-Hui Cho is known to have communicated by cellular telephone and may have communicated with others concerning his plans to carry out attacks on students and faculty at Virginia Tech," police wrote Friday in an affidavit seeking records from Verizon Wireless.
Another possible clue: his phone calls home to his parents. The affidavit states that Cho made regular calls home on Sunday evenings.
Another affidavit sought Cho's records from the student health center, and police obtained his medical and counseling files. The contents of the affidavits were first reported by ABC News.com.
