Goudie's column unfairly cast blame

When I got word of what happened at Northern Illinois, my first reaction was to check on my son and his friends.

My son doesn't even go there, but it reminded me of our vulnerability and how things can change in an instant.

My heart goes out to these families in this time, I can't even imagine their pain, nor would I attempt to judge their feelings towards the perpetrator who did this to them.

I can only relate to my love for my son and how angry and sad I would feel if he were taken from me in a senseless act of violence.

The word "judge" is key. Chuck Goudie felt he was qualified to judge all those who surrounded this man whose actions still leaves us grasping for answers.

According to everyone on the news, his girlfriend, former teachers, -- there was absolutely nothing that showed he had any violent tendencies whatsoever.

It sure sounds like Chuck Goudie has never been impacted by anyone in his life who suffered from any kind of psychological or neurological illness that has caused months if not years of medication and counseling to assist in finding life balance.

Ask any high school counselors, many of these same "signs" occur in our schools and communities. Most people, who are ill like this, are not violent individuals.

If any one of these individuals had a clue, don't you think they would have done anything possible to change the course of his actions?

Not only did Chuck Goudie not recognize this, but implied these individuals were partially responsible.

Can he even imagine how his former girlfriend, father, sister and friends must feel?

Martha Newlin

Naperville