Cops Nab Fugitive Suspected Of 2 Slays

Escaped Inmate In Custody After Manhunt Shut Down Va. Tech Campus

(CBS/AP)  A manhunt for an escaped convict suspected in the slayings of a hospital guard and a sheriff's deputy shut down the Virginia Tech campus on the first day of classes Monday as sharpshooters were posted on university rooftops and students scrambled for safety.

Authorities later captured William Morva, 24, after he was found hiding in a briar patch along a trail off-campus, Blacksburg Police Chief Kim Crannis said. The spot was about 150 yards from where the sheriff's deputy was slain during the intense search Monday morning. A weapon also was recovered, but police would not elaborate.

Hundreds of police scoured the 2,600-acre campus as Virginia Tech Vice President Kurt Krause canceled classes for the school's 26,000 students and sent some 6,000 professors and other workers home.

Morva had escaped from a hospital — about two miles from campus

where he had been taken for treatment of a sprained wrist and ankle early Sunday.

According to police, Morva overpowered another Montgomery County sheriff's deputy at the hospital, took the deputy's gun and then shot an unarmed hospital security guard. The guard was identified as Derrick McFarland, 26. The deputy was in stable condition with a concussion and other severe head injuries he suffered in the attack.

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Watch RAW video of police describing the suspect.

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Morva had been jailed while awaiting trial on charges of attempting to rob a store last year and apparently shed his orange prison jumpsuit after escaping.

He then is suspected of gunning down sheriff's Cpl. Eric E. Sutphin as the decorated police officer got closer to the fugitive on the trail about 7 a.m. Monday. Sutphin, a 13-year veteran law-enforcement officer, is survived by his wife, twin daughters and his mother, CBS News affiliate WDBJ in Roanoke, Va., reports.

Morva was wearing shorts with no shirt or shoes when he was captured around 3:30 p.m. Police earlier had said he was wearing a tie-dyed shirt and khakis and feared he would blend in with students on campus.

"It's very scary," said sophomore Kelly Engbersen of Williamsburg. "Every person you see you look hard (and wonder), 'Is that him?"'

As police sirens wailed to signal the arrest, shopkeepers in this college town celebrated the end of the tense search.

"Hallelujah. I'm ready for life to go back to normal," said Paula Bolte, who had put a sign in her grocery store to welcome students back to campus.

Morva was charged with capital murder, use of a firearm in a felony, escape and felony assault on a police officer. He had not been charged with Monday's shooting.

Crannis would not say whether Morva had contacted anyone or been spotted by citizens while he was on the lam.

Akio Robrecht, 27, of Blacksburg, said Morva was a couple years behind him in school. Morva "seemed like a nice, quiet kid," he said. "It's kind of hard to believe."

[nighttime3]

burn is *** he a p.of.s

[nighttime3]

burn is *** he a p.of.s

[nighttime3]

burn is ***

[nighttime3]

burn is ***

[npuryear]

Shame on you for using 'slay' as a noun. You don't have room for 'slayings' or 'murders'? Really pathetic.

[topio]

Jim carrey is getting desperate fro atention

[tmattson24_7]

Thoughts and prayers to the family of Corporal Eric Sutphin of the Montgomery County Sheriff%u2019s Office. Governor Warner conferred a Medal of Valor awards to Officer Sutpin in 2004 for his bravery in action. Sutphin came to the aid of fellow Officer, Scott Hylton, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Deputy Sutphin, though receiving two bullet wounds, displayed extraordinary personal bravery and uncommon valor at great personal risk to his life in the face of grave danger by continuing the pursuit of the assailant to successful conclusion, such actions being clearly above and beyond the call of duty.
May peace be with both Scott Hylton and Eric Sutphin.

[bfroggy-2009]

Im a VT Class of 2004 Graduate. Its really hard to believe the sleepy town of Blacksburg gripped in terror and covered with police snipers.

Still, its reassuring to think of the statistics. IM sure even in blacksburg right now youre more likely to die in a hundred innocent ways than being anonymously murdered.

[karebeary2k]

i am a sophomore engineering student at VT. although i am now stuck in my dormroom, i feel extreamly safe.

[ctdrd]

My daughter attends VA Tech, and said her class was interrupted by a campus security officer, who told them all the campus was on lockdown and they had to go to their dormroms or apartments immediately, lock the doors, stay away from windows, and stay there until further notice. Her biggest concern right now is if this drags on, how will they eat? Needless to say, my biggest concern is that she stay safe, and that they catch this guy as soon as possible!