Two police officers who were providing security for the premises of a small private university in the state of Virginia, in the eastern US, were killed by gunfire from a gunman who has been captured, local authorities said.
We all have too many questions and too few answers about the tragedy, Bridgewater University President David Bushman summed up in a statement, stressing that the two victims, John Painter and J.J. Jefferson, were friends, beloved by students, faculty and staff.
The two officers intervened early yesterday afternoon when they were alerted that a suspicious man was present on campus. After exchanging a few words, the man opened fire on the two officers, killing them, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said during a press conference last night.
The suspect then fled before being apprehended and his weapons confiscated, she continued. The motive of the alleged shooter, Alexander Wyatt Campbell, a 27-year-old resident of the state, a former student at Bridgewater, a track runner who had broken the school record in the 5,000 meters while attending Bridgewater, according to information reported by U.S. media - is unknown as of now.
He carries a gunshot wound, which law enforcement officials do not yet know whether he suffered from one of the officers he killed or if it was a self-inflicted wound. He was offered medical treatment at a hospital before being charged with four counts and taken into custody without the possibility of provisional release after posting bail, Geller explained.
The private university, about two and a half hours from the capital, Washington, has about 1,500 students and its security is guaranteed by a force of six police officers, according to its website.
Source: CNA
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