THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY...
UPDATE, 2:30 P.M. EST via HUFFINGTON POST:
Gunshots were reported near a parking lot on the Virginia Tech campus on Thursday, according to a Twitter 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 Associated Press writes that a law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case, said initial reports indicated that the shooting occurred following a traffic stop.
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.
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Gunshots were reported near a parking lot on the Virginia Tech campus on Thursday, according to a Twitter alert issued by the school.
The suspect is reportedly a "white male, gray sweat pants, gray hat w/neon green brim, maroon hoodie and backpack.
The campus has been put on lockdown
A police officer has been shot at the parking lot, according to the school's official feed. There is possibly another victim.
WNEM reports that at least one person is dead in Virginia Tech shooting. The suspect remains at large.
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