Bridgewater College is a private liberal arts college located about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Richmond. Historically affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, the school had an enrollment of about 1,500 full-time students in the fall of 2021.
Two officers shot and killed at Bridgewater College:
A Virginia State Police officer and a campus safety officer were shot and killed Tuesday at the Bridgewater College campus.
According to a statement from the college president Dr. David W. Bushman the two officers, who were known as the “dynamic duo” were close friends.
The two men killed in the line of duty were identified as Campus Police Officer John Painter and Campus Safety Officer JJ. Jefferson.
Bridgewater College’s President Dr. David Bowman issued the following message to students, faculty, and staff:
Today our campus community experienced unspeakable tragedy. Two members of the Bridgewater College family were senselessly and violently taken from us. The sadness is palpable. Words are not adequate, not nearly so, to express the grief, sadness, fear and—justifiably—the anger we all feel.
The incident started when campus police learned an unknown man was on campus. Officials said when they approached the man he fired at the officers wounding them.
Bridgewater College in Virginia announced on Twitter the report of an active shooter on campus at 11:24 p.m. Tuesday. A shelter in place was issued for the campus.
An all-clear was issued at 4:33 p.m.
Weapons were located both on and off-campus. Police continue to investigate the incident.
The suspect has been identified as Alexander Wyatt Campbell:
Campbell was charged with two counts of capital murder, one count of first degree murder, and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to a Virginia State Police news release.
According to state police, the armed suspect was taken into custody at 1:55 p.m., but the campus asked the community to continue to shelter in place as the investigation continued.
Bridgewater College students reacts to shooting:
