Bridgewater College Shooting: Virginians 'Devastated' By Deaths; Suspect Appears In Court

RICHMOND, VA — The man accused of shooting and killing two law enforcement officers on the campus of Bridgewater College in Virginia will be arraigned in court Wednesday on multiple felony charges, Virginia State Police said.

The suspect, Alexander Wyatt Campbell, 27, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with the fatal shootings 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, 55, and campus safety Officer J.J. Jefferson, 48.

Campbell, whose last known address was 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.

RELATED: 2 Officers Killed In Virginia College Shooting; Suspect Arrested

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 had a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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

Reactions poured in Wednesday from those thinking of the victims and their families.

"We must end gun violence in America. The courageous officers killed at Bridgewater College in Virginia were protecting students, faculty, and the Bridgewater community," Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted Wednesday. "The @SecondGentleman and I are keeping their loved ones in our hearts."

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said he was "devastated" by the deaths.

"Page and I are devastated by the loss of two heroic officers at Bridgewater College today," Miyares tweeted. "These men made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the Bridgewater Community."

Tuesday's 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.

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 took Campbell into custody just before 2 p.m. without further incident.

In response to the fatal shooting of the two officers, 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 is a private liberal arts college located Bridgewater, home to about 6,000 people. About 1,800 students are enrolled at the college.

The college was also named the safest college in Virginia and is among the top 25 safest institutions in the United States, according to rankings released from SafeAtLast.

Bridgewater College listed 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.