Gunshots were reported near a parking lot on theVirginia Tech campus on Thursday, according to aTwitter alert issued by the school.
The suspect was reportedly a white male, wearing “gray sweat pants, gray hat w/neon green brim, maroon hoodie and backpack.” The campus has been put on lockdown.
According to the school’s official Twitter feed, a police officer had been shot in a campus parking lot.
The university later released a statement, clarifying some details and confirming that two individuals were dead:
BLACKSBURG, Va., Dec. 8, 2011 – 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.