TWO MORE COPS SHOT DEAD

Two campus officers at private Virginia college are shot dead after confronting suspected gunman who is arrested: One slain cop was best man at other victim's wedding last month 

Daily Mail

February 1, 2022

 

 

Campus Police Officer John Painter (R) and Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson (L), who were described as a 'dynamic duo'

 

A gunman shot and killed two campus officers at a private college Tuesday, prompting a protracted campus lockdown and search before the suspect was apprehended, state police and school officials said.

A statement from school president David W. Bushman identified the two officers as campus police officer John Painter and campus safety officer J.J. Jefferson. He said that the campus was mourning the loss of the well-known and well-loved officers. Saying the pair was known as "the dynamic duo," the statement noted that Painter was the best man at Jefferson's wedding this year. 

The lockdown began in the early afternoon when Bridgewater College officials sent out a tweet in the early afternoon warning students and faculty about a shooter on campus. The college sent out a follow-up tweet about 2 p.m. saying police had apprehended a suspect after searching the campus but that students should continue sheltering in place. The college gave the all-clear about 4:30 p.m. It wasn't immediately clear what led up to the shooting. 

No other injuries were reported.  

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TWO CAMPUS COPS KILLED IN VIRGINIA

 

by Bob Walsh

A campus police officer and a campus security officer were murdered at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia yesterday.  

Both responded to a "suspicious person" call on campus.  They had a brief interaction with the suspect who then pulled a gun and started shooting, hitting both officers.  The shooter then fled and was captured about a half-hour later off campus.

The officers, Police Officer John Painter and Campus Safety Officer J. J. Jefferson, were close friends and often worked together.

 

The alleged suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Alexander Wyatt Campbel

The suspect, Alexander Wyatt Campbell, of Ashland, VA., 27, has already been charged with two counts of capital murder among other charges.  He is being held without bail.  He was wounded when captured but it is unknown if he shot himself or if Officer Painter got off a shot that connected.  Jefferson, not being a police officer, was not armed.