Virginia Tech Says Shots Were Reported Near Campus Parking Lot (DETAILS)
BREAKING NEWS: Virginia Tech Reports Shooting On Campus (DETAILS)
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Virginia Tech University sent out an alert earlier today, reporting that gun shots have been fired on campus at the Coliseum parking lot.
The alert read:
“There is an active campus alert in Blacksburg. Everyone should seek shelter or stay where you are. Blacksburg Transit service is suspended until the alert is lifted.”
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Police say that the threat at Virginia Tech has passed. The suspected shooter is believed to be dead, but in a press conference police refused to confirm the reports.
SWAT teams were called in and the campus locked down after an officer was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in the campus parking lot earlier today. An anonymous law enforcement official reportedly said that the shooter was not the driver of the car.
According to investigators, the officer was killed by a man in the Virginia Tech Coliseum parking lot while making a routine traffic stop on an unrelated car.
The suspect then fled on foot in the direction of the cage parking lot near Duck Pond. Police sighted a suspicious man in the cage.
When police made further efforts to make contact with the suspicious man, they found him dead at the scene with a weapon by his side.
Police are not confirming the identities of either of the dead persons, but a candlelight vigil is planned on the Virginia Tech campus.
UPDATE: 4:25 pm EST
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the second shooting victim at Virginia Tech University earlier today was the man who shot and killed the campus policeman.
The campus wide alert for a gunman at large has been canceled according to school officials and the murder weapon has been recovered at the location of the second shooting victim.
VA officials say there is no longer a threat on campus and normal activities can resume for the student body.
UPDATE: 3:30 pm EST
Freshman Juliet Fielding recounts seeing police try to revive the slain officer.
UPDATE: 2:10 pm EST
Statement from Virginia Tech:
Shortly after noon today, a Virginia Tech police officer stopped a vehicle on campus during a routine traffic stop in the Coliseum parking lot near McComas Hall.
During the traffic stop, the officer was shot and killed. There were witnesses to this shooting.
Witnesses reported to police the shooter fled on foot heading toward the Cage, a parking lot near Duck Pond Drive. At that parking lot, a second person was found. That person is also deceased.
Several law enforcement agencies have responded to assist. Virginia State Police has been requested to take lead in the investigation.
The status of the shooter is unknown. The campus community should continue to shelter in place and visitors should not come to campus.
UPDATE: 2:05 pm EST
There are multiple reports of shots and police activity, but most pressing appears to be in Squires Student Center.
UPDATE: 1:50 pm EST
Suspect killed police officer in Coliseum Lot, then fled toward Cage. Second victim was killed in parking lot. The shooter remains at large.
UPDATE: 12:45 pm EST
School officials are reporting that 2 people were killed and students are saying they heard shots near Torgersen Hall, which is on the other side of campus.
UPDATE: 12:30 pm EST
Virginia Tech suspect being apprehended on steps of performing arts building on College Ave. Although the person who surrendered at Performance Arts Building is not under arrest.
Person who surrendered was wearing gray shirt and jeans. Unsure if he was suspect. Police entering performance arts building on College Ave.
