2 Officers Killed In Virginia College Shooting; Suspect Arrested

BRIDGEWATER, VA — Two law enforcement officers were shot and killed on the campus of Bridgewater College in Virginia early Tuesday afternoon, according to police officials.

A suspect, Alexander Wyatt Campbell, 27, was taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting of the two officers near Bridgewater College's Memorial Hall, an incident that sparked a three-hour campuswide lockdown, Virginia State Police said.

The victims were identified as campus police officer John Painter and campus safety officer J. J. Jefferson.

"Today our campus community experienced unspeakable tragedy. Two members of the Bridgewater College family were senselessly and violently taken from us," Bridgewater College President David Bushman said in a message to the school community.

Bushman said Painter and Jefferson were close friends and were known to many on campus as the "dynamic duo." Painter was Jefferson's best man at his wedding.

Campbell, whose last known address is in Ashland, Virginia, was charged with two felony counts of capital murder, one felony count of first degree murder, and one count of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to state police.

When he was taken into custody, Campbell was suffering from a gunshot wound. The police said they are investigating whether Campbell was shot in an exchange of gunfire, or whether it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Campbell was taken to a local hospital for treatment of the gunshot wound, where he was treated and released. He is being held without bond at Rockingham County Regional Jail in Harrisonburg, according to police.

At a news conference Tuesday night, police officials said they could not comment on whether Campbell had a connection to the college. They said multiple firearms were recovered as evidence in connection with the shootings.

The incident began when Painter and Jefferson responded to a call about a suspicious adult male on the grounds of Memorial Hall. After a brief interaction with Campbell, he opened fire and shot both officers, police said.

At that point, just before 1:30 p.m., Bridgewater College officials tweeted an alert of a possible active shooter on campus. Students, staff and campus visitors sheltered in place as police responded to the Bridgewater College campus, located a few miles southwest of Harrisonburg.

State police said Campbell then fled on foot toward Riverside Drive, off-campus, and then waded into the North River and onto an island. Officers followed Campbell through the water to the island and then took Campbell into custody just before 2 p.m. without further incident.

Law enforcement gave the all-clear just after 4:30 p.m.

Bridgewater College is a private liberal arts college located in Bridgewater, home to approximately 6,000 people. About 1,800 students are enrolled at the college.

At least one student attending class on the Bridgewater campus told WHSV that everyone "dropped to the floor" after hearing bangs outside.

"We barricaded ourselves and just waited it out until everyone got here to help us," the student said.

Bushman said the college will be sharing information soon on grief counseling and other forms of support. Classes at Bridgewater College are canceled for Wednesday, Bushman said.

In response to the fatal shooting of the two officers, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an order for all U.S. and Virginia flags to be flown at half-staff on Wednesday.

“My heart is broken tonight by the tragic loss of two officers at Bridgewater College today," Youngkin said in a statement Tuesday night. "These officers were dedicated to protecting the students and faculty of the college and I have ordered that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff tomorrow to honor their memory and courageous efforts."

Bridgewater College has six sworn police officers, including Painter, and four campus safety officers, including Jefferson. Only campus police officers carry sidearms while on duty, according to state police.

State police are requesting anyone with video or images, or other information related to the shooting, to share with investigators at vsphtcs@vsp.virginia.gov.