'Mentally Ill' Former Student Opened Fire In College Killing Two Campus Police Officers

An armed shooter accused of killing two Bridgewater College police officers had his first court appearance Wednesday, Feb. 2, afternoon, according to reports.

The 27-year-old suspect, Alexander Wyatt Campbell of Ashland, Virginia, allegedly shot and killed two officers, Bridgewater College Police Officer John E. Painter, 55, and Bridgewater College Campus Safety Officer Vashon "JJ" A. Jefferson, 48, authorities said.

The attack happened when the officers responded to a call reporting a man acting suspiciously on the grounds of Memorial Hall, at Bridgewater College in Virginia, US, around 2 pm, on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

After a brief interaction, Campbell opened fire, shooting both officers, Virginia State Police said.

The suspect then fled the scene on foot, sparking a major manhunt that ended in his arrest.

"Initial report came in that two officers had been shot and the armed suspect fled the scene. State and local law enforcement immediately responded and initiated a massive search operation for the suspect," a police statement read.

He was finally tracked down in the town of Bridgewater and, after wading through a river onto an island, he was picked up by police without further incident, WTVR reported.

The suspect was found with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was rushed to a nearby hospital, police said, adding it is unclear whether Campbell was shot by the officers or the wound was self-inflicted.

According to officials with the college, Campbell was a former student who attended the school five years ago.

College President David Bushman called the shootings an "unspeakable tragedy".

"Campus Police Officer John Painter and Campus Safety Officer JJ Jefferson were shot and killed on campus while protecting us," Bushman said in a message on the school's Facebook page.

"These officers were close friends, known to many of us as the 'dynamic duo.' John was JJ's best man in his wedding this year. They were beloved by students, faculty, and staff. I hurt for their families and loved ones, as I know we all do."

Campbell was arraigned in Rockingham County Court on aggravated murder of law enforcement officers, aggravated murder of more than one person, one count of first-degree murder, and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller told a news conference.

During his court appearence, Campbell’s mother, Cheryl Campbell claimed her son has ongoing mental health issues and needed help.

"My son is mentally ill and he did something that I could not control and no one could come to help him," Cheryl told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "I’m sorry for what has happened. I could not prevent it."

"This is a very hard time for Wyatt and his family and for the families that he has affected," she said through tears. "It is not about gun control. It is not. ...It is about mental illness and how we have no control over that, the way society is right now. I can’t help my son."

Campbell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.