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Virginia Tech Lockdown Over; Shooter Believed Dead

It looks like a murder-suicide

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 8, 2011 4:40 PM CST

(Newser) – Virginia Tech has lifted its lockdown after today's fatal shootings that left two people dead and says the community is safe. Police confirmed little but said to "read between the lines" about speculation of a murder-suicide, reports the Roanoke Times. Based on that comment and more details from AP, it looks like the gunman walked up to a campus police officer making a traffic stop in a parking lot and shot him to death. The gunman, a white male, then walked into a second parking lot and killed himself.

No word yet on motive, but it does not appear to be related to the original traffic stop. The driver of that car was uninjured and was being interviewed by police. By coincidence, the shooting came on the day that school officials were appealing an Education Department fine for its response to the 2007 shooting rampage on campus in which 33 people died.

Virginia Tech police officers console one another as they move toward the scene where a fellow police officer was killed.
Virginia Tech police officers console one another as they move toward the scene where a fellow police officer was killed.   (AP Photo/Don Petersen)
Police officers block a road on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Va.
Police officers block a road on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Va.   (AP Photo/The Roanoke Times, Matt Gentry)
Police officials examine the body of a police officer shot to death in a parking lot on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Police officials examine the body of a police officer shot to death in a parking lot on the campus of Virginia Tech.   (AP Photo/Don Petersen)
Local S.W.A.T. team members congregate near a parking lot on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Local S.W.A.T. team members congregate near a parking lot on the campus of Virginia Tech.   (AP Photo/Don Petersen)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
baranoww
Dec 8, 2011 10:49 PM CST
Lost and confused OWSer wanted to get pepper sprayed, couldn't find a lay down, got scared and decided to pull an Abu-Jamal. Wanna bet?
Rugger1
Dec 8, 2011 10:40 PM CST
So, would someone please remind me on why neo-cons feel we should arm all college campuses?
Cheni99a1
Dec 8, 2011 9:24 PM CST
What I don't understand is why this took so long to confirm it was a murder-suicide. As horrible as everything is, there were undoubtedly witnesses who could probably have identified the second man - lying dead next to a murder weapon - as the guy who killed the first man, the police officer. 

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Gunman Kills 2 at Virginia Tech


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