Crime

Two dead at Va. Tech, threat from gunman over, police say

By Crimesider Staff

December 8, 2011 / 6:02 PM EST / CBS News

A fully armored officer stands guard at Virginia Tech, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. Daniel Lin

(CBS/WDBJ/AP) BLACKSBURG, Va. - In a press conference Thursday afterrnoon, law enforcement and Virginia Tech officials confirmed two people were killed on campus, and that the first victim was a police officer shot by a gunman.

It is unclear if the second victim is the gunman, but campus officials said it is safe to resume normal activities since "there is no longer an active threat."

Sgt. Robert Carpentieri confirmed the shooter approached and shot the police officer who was conducting a traffic stop. Officials said the shooter was not the person the officer had pulled over.

The suspect was then seen running towards the "Cage" parking lot roughly a quarter-mile away, and a short time later someone was found deceased. Officers said they did not shoot that individual, and that a weapon was recovered.

Officials did not comment on the caliber or type of weapon.

Both crime scenes are still active as investigators compare notes.

Thursday's shooting triggered a lock down on the Blacksburg campus that on April 16, 2007 was the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, when a student gunman killed 32 students and faculty members, before taking his own life.

More on CrimesiderDec. 8, 2011 - Va. Tech: Cop among two dead, gunman soughtDec. 8, 2011 - Virginia Tech reports shots fired on campus