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2 dead, including police officer, after Virginia Tech shooting incident
A Virginia Tech police officer was among two people killed Thursday on the school's campus, prompting a sweeping search and school-wide lockdown that lasted over four hours.
Around 4:30 p.m., the school in Blacksburg, Virginia, announced on its Twitter feed that "law enforcement agencies have determined there is no longer an active threat or need to secure in place. Resume normal activities."
Police said the incident started shortly after noon, when the police officer made a traffic stop in the Coliseum parking lot near McComas Hall. During that stop, a person who wasn't involved in the traffic stop approached and shot the officer, authorities said.
After witnesses told police that the shooter fled toward a nearby parking lot, an investigating officer saw a "suspicious person" alive in that lot. When the officer circled back to approach the person - described as a white male - that person was dead of a gunshot wound, police said.
A Virginia state police spokesman said that police didn't shoot the second person, and he wouldn't say whether the person was a suspect, or whether investigators still are looking for a shooter. But he said investigators feel "confident we located the person," and that "you can kind of read between the lines."
The incident comes more than four years after a shooting spree in which a Virginia Tech student, 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, shot dead 32 people on the campus before killing himself in April 2007.
The following are running updates on Thursday's incident:
[Updated 5:15 p.m. ET] The Virginia Tech police officer who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in a campus parking lot shortly after 12:15 p.m. was shot by someone who wasn't involved in the traffic stop, police said at a news conference. The shooter allegedly walked up to the officer's vehicle and opened fire, police said.
[Updated 5:11 p.m. ET] Describing the death of the second person, authorities at a news conference said a police officer investigating the slain officer's death saw a "suspicious person" alive in a campus parking lot, and when the officer circled back the approach that person - a white male - he was dead from a gunshot wound.
Police declined to say whether that person shot himself, but a Virginia State Police spokesman told reporters that police did not shoot him.
The state police spokesman wouldn't comment on whether the second deceased person had been the person who killed the police officer. He declined to say whether investigators still are looking for a shooter, but investigators feel "confident we located the person."
"You can kind of read between the lines," he said.
The school's website noted that a weapon had been discovered near the second person - described as an "unknown male subject who was found deceased in a parking lot near the Duck Pond."
The school has said there is no longer a threat on campus, and that people could resume normal activities on campus.
[cnn-video url="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/12/08/sot-va-tech-witness-revive.wdbj"%5D[Updated 4:37 p.m. ET] A weapon was found at the location of the body of a second person killed on the campus, Virginia Tech says. That person, a male, was found in a parking lot, the school said.
[Updated 4:34 p.m. ET] Police have determined "there is no longer an active threat or need to secure in place," Virginia Tech has said on its Twitter feed.
The posting told students and staff they could now "resume normal activities."
[Updated 3:48 p.m. ET] Several Virginia Tech administrators - including the head of campus police, Wendell Flinchum, and emergency management director Michael Mulhare - were in Washington Thursday at a federal court hearing on the 2007 shooting on the school's campus, U.S. Department of Education officials said, according to CNN's Sally Holland.
Flinchum and the school were criticized after that incident for not notifying students quickly enough that there was a danger on campus. The hearing was an appeal of the Department of Education's fine of $55,000 to Virginia Tech under the Clery Act, a federal law related to campus safety.
In April, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli called the case against Virginia Tech "Monday-morning quarterbacking at its very worst."
[Updated 3:45 p.m. ET] In a message on its website, the university knocked down what it called "unfounded" reports of additional gunshots reported heard since the original shooting, saying "there are no new substantiated reports of suspicious or criminal activity."
[Updated 3:07 p.m. ET] Students' final exams that were scheduled for Friday have been postponed, Virginia Tech said on its website. Friday would have been the first day of final exams for the semester.
"A decision regarding the final exam schedule will be made as soon as we have more information," the message said.
[Updated 2:46 p.m. ET] Tauhid Chappell, a student on campus, told CNN that he and other students were getting information through the school alert system, and through the web and radio.
Things felt "very quiet and still," he said. Classes for the semester ended Wednesday. Students were preparing Thursday for final exams.
[Updated 2:45 p.m. ET] A university spokesman says police have a description of a suspect and are searching “absolutely everywhere for the person who matches the description."
The campus is on lockdown, and people on campus are urged to "shelter in place," the spokesman said. The university is urging that no one visit campus, he said.
[Updated 2:10 p.m. ET] Six agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are at Virginia Tech to help with the response to Thursday's shooting, ATF spokesman Scot Thomasson said, according to CNN's Carol Cratty. Twenty additional agents are on standby, he added.
"The agents are very familiar with the campus and the buildings" because they have worked with Blacksburg police since the 2007 mass shooting on campus, Thomasson said.
[Updated 2:07 p.m. ET] The staff of the Collegiate Times newspaper has been evacuated from its offices in the Squires Student Center on the Virginia Tech campus, the paper's Twitter feed reports.
[Updated 1:56 p.m. ET] A Virginia Tech police officer has been shot and killed after making a traffic stop on the university's campus, Mark Owczarski, the university's director of news and information, said Thursday.
The suspect fled on foot toward another parking lot where a second person was also found dead, he said.
The shooter is still at large, he said.
[Updated 1:39 p.m. ET] Sirens were heard around the Virginia Tech campus Thursday, and rescue workers were trying to resuscitate a person who was on the ground, school employee Brian Walls told CNN. The school was on lockdown after shots were reported, and the school's website said a police officer was shot.
Follow the incident via the Twitter feed of the school's newspaper, the Collegiate Times. These reports have not been confirmed by CNN.
[Updated 1:16 p.m. ET] A police officer has been shot on or near the campus of Virginia Tech, the university's website says. A possible second victim is reported down in a parking lot and the suspect is at large, the website says.
Classes for the semester ended Wednesday. Students were preparing Thursday for final exams.
[Posted 1:01 p.m. ET] The campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg is on lockdown after a report of shots being fired on the campus.
The suspected shooter is described as a white male wearing gray sweat pants, a gray hat with a neon green brim and a maroon hoodie and carrying a backpack, according to the university's website.
Those on campus should seek shelter or stay where they are, the website says.
In April 2007, Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old Virginia Tech student, shot dead 32 people on the campus before killing himself.
Are you on campus? Share your story, but please stay out of harm's way.
On Twitter
again really, you would think that after the first time there would be prison like security as college student in salem ma we have bag checks and crazy security and nothing happened there. if there any victims my condolences
Are you sure you went to college?
It's hard to learn much in a prison.
VT has done everything realistically possible to handle events like this since 2007. Making a college a prison.. really? I doubt you went to college at all based on that post.
I worked at a Community College that had a shooting, and after the initial shock wore off, there was a massive discussion about how best to keep everyone safe going forward. It was eventually decided that protocols would be put in place to be ready if events ever occurred again, but that aside from increased security, no other measures would be taken. They found that students would feel more afraid if the school felt like a maximum security prison. And that it was less likely to create an atmosphere of learning. Really, we just prayed that we would never need to use the new protocols. I was there that day, and I'm praying for everyone at VA Tech. It's unnerving, and it stays with you.
reddit > 4chan
deal with it.
4chans winning on the sticky roodypoo
Okay everyone. I go to Virginia Tech. (currently in my dorm, not going anywhere.) Official VTAlert hasn't said anything about any cops being shot.. (Just the info from the article)
VT homepage has an alert...
VT page says police officer has been shot and potential 2nd victim in the cage lot
On Facebook, VT reported an officer was shot.
Arm yourself, train, be prepared. It may save your life.
What is with VT and guns? It may be time to bulldoze the place and salt the earth.
There's even a group on campus advocating Campus Carry. I think it's silly.
Is it silly? If they had a campus carry law students would be able to suppress the shooter.
Oh? Then don't carry. Your feelings really have no bearing on the rights of law-abiding citzens, though.
I agree, only the bad guys should have guns.
gun control doesn't work, period. all it does is make it so the only people who have guns are people willing to break the law. it's a liberal pipe dream
I think this illustrates exactly why they're doing it.
I think they need campus carry. There, opinions tied 1-1.
No kidding. After all, the policeman had a gun, and he's dead.
You are the kind of pansy that relies on someone else for your protection. Go worship your che guevera flag you limp wristed pansy liberal commie idiot.
Right, because it makes more sense to leave students defenseless. Disarming the populace only gives the criminals more power.
Hardly silly.I would rather be in a class with someone that is carrying just in case someone decides to rampage on the campus again.
Valkyria: I think you're silly. Obviously, banning weapons-carrying on campus does nothing to prevent criminals from shooting innocents, it only ensures law-abiding people who might wish to defend themselves are instead to remain unarmed and helpless. We now have 34 people who can't argue that a campus gun ban does nothing to prevent gun violence – and in fact may actually enable it.
Campus Carry if passed would allow licensed students to LEGALLY carry firearms on the campus, its obvious its going to happen anyway, but with 2 perpetrators illegally carrying a firearm onto the campus, shooting people, law abiding students are defenseless. Its proven by this instance, that hiring police for the campus didnt disuade the offender. At least with students, faculty and visitors being able to LEGALLY carry licensed concealed firearms for thier own defense, shootings on campus by deranged gunmen would be reduced or stopped all together, since the students would be able to defend themselves and in doing so, reduce the number of encounters because there are no longer easy victims and they would through shooting the offender, reduce the number of people who break the law in that manner. they would also at least have the ABILITY to have the opportunity while defending themselves of stopping the perpetrator before he amasses a body count of 1 or 2 verses not being able to defend themselves and the body count being 32 killed, many wounded. If the police cant protect themselves, how are they going to protect you......?
Why is it silly? If someone had been there who knew how to RESPONSIBLY carry, this could have been prevented. If the carry laws are tightened, I don't know why anyone has an issue with this, if they are LEGALLY carrying. The more people who know how to properly use firearms, the less we'll have idiots like this who just think it's cool.
yeah that's all we need. A bunch of stressed out college students, hyped up on monster energy drink and whatever other 'upper' they can find carrying a gun. Would take one person to push the wrong button and you have a student shooting others....not what we need
its not silly, the argument carries alot of water, most massacres take place in gun free zones. You take away gun free zones you eliminate possible targets because the criminals now do not know who is carrying.
I think anyone who carries a gun onto any campus needs to be expelled from college and thrown into jail
I think it is silly to forbid people the right to defend themselves.
southerners like their guns! and, they like to USE THEM GUNZ!!
sad but true.
Because Blacksburg is in the South?? You're an idiot.
Well, at least he will be easy to spot !
This is probably in retaliation for Virginia Tech being selected to a BCS bowl game instead of Boise State... G*R*E*E*D.
what?!? BSU was ranked # 7. and BSU is NOT bowl-bound?? what was Virginia Tech ranked???
grow up. We are talking about people who could be dead and you want to talk BCS.
To "Joe" and "Gumbalay".....I find your comments completely distasteful and, quite honestly, ignorant. I am almost speechless at your insensitivity and snippy reply. Anyone who even brings that subject up when lives are at stake, need to take a good long look in the mirror at your ethics and morality. Neither of which either one of you appear ot have. You disgust me.
Go to all the graves of the last people killed during the last VT shooting and tell them they had no reason to be able to protect themselves. Why don't you please try to start over, and come up with some sort of good reasoning or something intelligent to say that requires more than just two brain cells being rubbed together? OR...keep on judging and making false assumptions regarding people and a topic you don't know anything about. Have you ever had to protect your life? Have you ever taken formal firearms/Concealed Cary, or defense training? Do you have any idea what any of it entails? If so, lets hear it.
Who cares?
Virginia has extremely liberal gun laws. Maybe that should change? What do you think? The way it now stands, anyone can purchase and own a deadly weapon.
Sally, people like you scare me far more than any shooter.
If someone want's a gun they're going to get one. Doesn't matter if you outright ban guns. People will still get them.
HURR DURR
This is not true....
That is the way it should stay
Guns are banned on VT Campus except for law enforcement. How is that "liberal gun laws?"
Not the answer, Anyone who intends violence can get one. Legal or not. Similar to drugs, legal or not. It's the mentality of the perpetuater. Some carry guns for protection, others for evil. Sometimes the human mind, forgets which is which?
It is also against the law to shoot someone, yet this person did. You think someone who doesn't obey the law about shooting someone will obey a law banning handguns?
IF not a gun bombs made from household chems anyone can get and with free online books like "the anarchist cookbook" .....guide to incendiaries........ trust me you have seen nothing compared to what could have happened. and yes VA does have loose gun law and the GUN FREE zones are; our biggest problem here according to a local crime statistic done here 5 or 6 yrs ago campus crimes (all general) 4 time higher than VA average .....even more than Richmond .....sad
Every gun nut I know, talks on and on about how they are willing to shoot someone (if the need arises, a need determined by their rather dumb minds). They eat and breath the opportunity to play judge, jury and executioner with the rest of the citizenry. They are mostly frustrated cops, and some are actually cops (scary!). The handgun nuts are basically owning, desiring and loving something that is designed with one purpose, to kill another human being. They speak as if crime is everywhere, but the fact is most of these jerks live in the suburbs, are white, and would never set foot in a ghetto where crime is more common. It has more to do with the lack of the size of their members and some sort of self appointed protector of society complex.
Sally – are you serious? Criminals don't obey the laws. Ther is a law not to kill people...that should be sufficient shouldn't it?
Look at s#&tholes like Chicago where handguns and carrying guns was banned for 20 or 30 years...still the citiy had one of the highest homicide rates in the country. Only the bad guys had guns there.
Lukily for the poor law abiding citizens of Chicago that changed recently.
It's funny how anybody can go out and legally obtain a deadly firearm, but marijuana is illegal. I'd like to hear a gun nut's opinion on that matter.
Ban guns and then the only people that have them will be the criminals. If you carry, you must learn how to use it, just like driving a car. You have to learn how before you get your drivers license.
@jim,,,,, marijuana can be obtained legally in some parts of the country. weak arguement
@duh: Cocaine, then? Meth? Heroin?
@Moonshine7102 obviously those are illegal and obviously the criminals are obeying the law not to distribute or use them either.
I agree....VA is ridiculous when it comes to gun laws. VA provides most of the illegal guns in NJ.
Only when visitors can carry weapons on the floor of the House and Senate. Right now according to you Capitals across this nation all have liberal gun laws.
The gun laws aren't the problem. These people care nothing for the law so creating a gun law does nothing. You would have to completely remove all weapons from the country to eliminate crimes involving guns and that includes those of law enforcement. There weapons could possibly wind up in the hands of someone with malcontent. Guns have been a part of the American way of life since this countries inception. Police the guns and you destroy a part of our culture, which some of you have no problem with anyways. Our culture is being destroyed everyday as it is. Also, this is a free country, or at least has the illusion of being a free country, and freedom comes at the price of safety. If you want total safety then go to a country where the government controls everything, you want freedom then accept the dangers that come with it. And I'm not one of your so called "Gun Nuts" either. I don't even own a gun.
Nope. Stricter gun laws won't affect the black market or otherwise illegally obtained firearms. And those are the ones that are being used in events like this.
Try to remember that anyone seen carrying a gun would appear to be suspect to an armed policeman, especially if a crime has been committed. Also, if you carry a gun, it can be taken away from you and used against you. How about carrying bullet proof vests, instead? I really feel sory for the students of this school. It would be terrible to be under such presure and fear. I hope everyone stays safe.
Disregard earlier comment. Was relying on text messages. Now have VT homepage open in a tab. (Man, do I feel stupid)
Yeah, it's not even a 'day off', as horrible as that sounds. Today is Reading Day. (our exams start tomorrow)
Again? Why is mental health and violence such a problem in the area.
it's the large amount(s) of *moonshine* consumed in the area...
Yeah, the rest of the country is safe and free of crazy people.
Displeased–There are a lot of crazy people. I'm talking about crazy, violent people with guns at college campuses, willing to take lives without conscience.
how do you know it's a mental health issue already??? the perpetrator was pulled over and fired on a police officer. sounds like a common thug or possible drug dealer trolling the campus panicking and then trying to escape the authorities.
To Duh– He took 2 lives in two different places and may not be done yet. That is crazy no matter what the motive is.
Is VA Tech still a "gun free zone" or are CCW permit holders allowed to carry?
VT is a gun-free zone. Official campus policy is that nobody except law enforcement is allowed to have any kind of weapon (not just guns) on campus. The official stance of the university is that students are to call the police as soon as possible after being killed by a criminal.
"The official stance of the university is that students are to call the police as soon as possible after being killed by a criminal."
I would think that would be difficult, seeing as they are dead. Might want to rethink that stance.
Ummm his name is CarryNOW. Probably being sarcastic about the call after killed. If I need to explain why this is probably sarcasm.... I won't.
Poor kids cant even carry weapons to defend themselves. Crimminals can slaughter our children wholesale all because people think outlawing guns on campus is going to keep guns off campus. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you exhibit A (B,C,D, etc..) to the contrary.
I'm at Virginia Tech, and I don't want a gun. What would I do with it? Stick my head out the window and shoot whoever matches the shooter's description?
No, but if you get cornered in parking lot by, say a guy in a gray sweatsuit and a neon green cap, you could potentially save your life and possibly someone else's.
Jeremy, if you dont want a gun, I fully support you not getting one. However, I feel people should have the right to defend themselves. You might feel safer by not having a gun near you, but your desire to feel safe should not come at the expense of other peoples desire to feel safe.
Jeremy... It's that kind of thinking "What would I do with it? Stick my head out the window and shoot whoever matches the shooter's description?" that makes people cringe. No.. thats not the point, and thats why RESPONSIBLE people that decide to get carry permits also take the time to get properly trained to carry said weapon & be prepared to use it. It's not for picking people off from 100 yards, it's for personal protection should you be confronted.
First of all, the policeman had a gun, and he's dead. Also, do you really want amateurs out there firing at the suspect? Fine if each and every one takes the time to aim carefully (hard to do when you're under fire yourself) and are all excellent shots. Otherwise it will just mean a shoot-up free-for-all with even more casualties.
@Newzwatcher – No need to bring logic into this.
I'm glad my kid transferred to a better school this year. No sense in risking ones life for a lower-ranked education.
Run for the hills, glad your kid is gone and I know you are enjoying that Comm. College tuition. maybe they can make the grade there.
Rot in hell. I went to Tech...random tragic events at an amazing school.
As a parent, you should know how to watch the horrible words that come out of your mouth.
You may be a parent, but you're obviously not an adult.
And the disrespect is at an all time high!!!! Since you seem to think you're better than everyone else, let me leave you with this: I applied to college as the valedictorian of over 500 students. VT was my safety AND #1 choice because I LOVE THIS SCHOOL. ...So much so that, I am now getting my Master's here. Most people highly respect VT, and I have had a phenomenal education and experience here, filled with opportunity. I will be sad to leave in May. This is my home. And no amount of shootings will change that. I'm truly sorry that in a tragic time like this, all you can do is make rude , unfounded comments about the school instead of showing remorse for the victims. Grow up.
right about the education. most my friends that graduated from tech are bartenders and waitors. however lives and higher or lower education are on different fields. prayers with the victims and hope the best for the school. no one wants a repeat from a few years ago.
I Blame Scott Philbrick.
Man. Classes at VT must be really stressful!
It's reading day! (Our exams start tomorrow!) I don't feel like studying physics right now. (I've got that exam tomorrow)
I deplore guns, but guns are not what takes anothers life, it's people like you and me. When we get to that realization, we'll be able to solve the problem.
I love my gun .....and other as long as there in the right hands ......they harm no one,and your right its a people problem
Well said; I'm right there with you. I too really hate guns, but they are not the issue. There is an illness among us. All of us.
"People like you and me."
With all due respect, it is not people "like me". I would never take a life unless it was to protect my own.
JMU > VTech
Matt, you may be a JMU student, but please for today be respectful to us and my fellow Hokies. I can't begin to describe the feeling here on campus at the current time. All I ask for you is to be respectful. Please and thanks.
-A Hokie's Who is Praying
VT is such a horrible play.
@Amanda, follow the guidance of ignoring drunks and fools. Praying for you and everyone down there.
You can't ignore it now, can you teacher ?
Amanda and other VT students: My daughter is a JMU student and she and all of her friends are praying for you guys right now. I am not sure if Matt is a legitimate JMU student or not, but if he is, he is not a representative of JMU or the student body as a whole. The JMU community that I know feels that VT is their "sister school" and is very proud of that fact. At the end of the day, you are ALL someone's child and going to school to get an education to be a productive member of society...your lives should not be in danger, and we all truly hope this day ends up with no more lives lost. Praying here in Harrisonburg......
Nicely said, Amanda...good luck on your exams!!
Right because praying stops bullets... tell that to the Zulu warriors...
Well said, Amanda! My brother graduated from Va Tech in 2002. This is not a time to be rivals, but a time to band together. We are all Hokies today.
And you have my prayers, too.
Praying for anyone who is being touched by this today. This is not a time for pointing fingers or calling names but a time for reflection on how each one of us impacts our world.
I don't know what Matt said nor do I want to. I went to JMU but any disrespectful comment toward Tech at this time is reprehensible. We don't have to cheer for you in sports, but I truly hope things like this stop occurring at VT and everywhere else. Pray that the shooter is caught quickly without anymore losses and especially pray for the families who lost a loved one. Also pray for the jerks who make nasty comments in these kinds of situations.
People at Ok State are concerned for you.... Hope that the two victims are all and wish that you didn't have to suffer again.
Well said.
very immature sir.
who are you even referring to?
Really? Way to show some class
Really? Really? Really? Way to repeat trite phrases.
Really? Grow up! I am a huge UVa fan, but this is not a time for rivalries.
who are you even asking?