Two officers shot, killed at Bridgewater College in Virginia
Feb 1, 2022, 3:02 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 3:18 pm
(WHSV via CNN)
(CNN) — Two campus officers were shot and killed Tuesday during an active shooter situation at Bridgewater College in Virginia, according to college spokesperson Logan Bogert.
“I can confirm that a campus police officer and a campus safety officer died from gunshot wounds today,” Bogert told CNN’s Josh Campbell.
A male suspect was taken into custody and an investigation is ongoing, according to Virginia State Police.
A news conference on the incident was planned for Tuesday evening.
College President David Bushman, in a message on the school’s Facebook page, called the shootings an “unspeakable tragedy.”
“Campus Police Officer John Painter and Campus Safety Officer JJ Jefferson were shot and killed on campus while protecting us,” Bushman wrote. “These officers were close friends, known to many of us as the ‘dynamic duo.’ John was JJ’s best man in his wedding this year. They were beloved by students, faculty, and staff. I hurt for their families and loved ones, as I know we all do.”
A shelter in place order that the college was under for most of the afternoon was lifted.
Around 1:20 p.m. multiple police agencies responded to a report of an active shooter on campus, police said in a statement.
“Initial report came in that two officers had been shot & the armed suspect fled the scene. State & local law enforcement immediately responded and initiated a massive search operation for the suspect.”
Gov. Glenn Youngkin said earlier he had been briefed on the shooting.
I have been briefed on the situation at Bridgewater College. The shooter is in custody and state and local police are on the scene. I will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with law enforcement.
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) February 1, 2022