Judge approves Virginia Tech settlement

RICHMOND, Va., June 17 (UPI) -- A judge has approved an $11 million settlement with families of most of the victims in last year's campus shootings at Virginia Tech, officials said Tuesday.

The families of 24 victims killed by Seung-Hui Cho will be compensated under the settlement approved by Circuit Court Judge Theodore Markow, Legal Newsline reported.

The settlement also covers 18 people injured in the April 16, 2007, massacre in which 32 students and teachers were killed and dozens of others were wounded at the Blacksburg, Va., campus.

Seriously injured victims will have their health care needs covered for life. Representatives of each of those killed will receive $100,000 under the agreement.

The settlement will be paid with taxpayer money, Legal Newsline reported.

"We are professionals and we represent the commonwealth's interests to the best of our abilities," Virginia Chief Deputy Attorney General William Mims said. "But first we are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, neighbors and friends. We cannot possibly imagine the losses they've suffered."

By accepting the settlement, family members gave up the right to sue the state, and the local government agencies serving the university.