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Man arrested for shooting deaths of two Bridgewater College officers charged with capital murder

Man arrested for shooting deaths of two Bridgewater College officers charged with capital murder

Alexander Wyatt Campbell Photo: WINA/Courtesy Rockingham County Jail


BRIDGEWATER, Va. (WINA) – Virginia State Police identified on Tuesday night the man arrested for the shooting deaths of two Bridgewater College police officers.

Alexander Wyatt Campbell, 27, of Ashland, Virginia, is facing four felony charges: 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.

Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson and Campus Police Officer John Painter were known as the dynamic duo; Painter was best man at Jefferson’s wedding this year.

“This is a sad and dark day for Bridgewater College,” said Bridgewater President David Bushman during a Tuesday night news conference. “I know we all have so many questions and not many answers. One thing I do know, though, is that we will rally around one another and support each other as we move forward from this day. We are all victims, though some much more so than others, and it will be important that we each seek to find comfort and support in the ways most meaningful for us.”

Gov. Youngkin on Tuesday evening order flags flown at half-staff for Officers Jefferson and Painter.

Virginia State Police continues its investigation.

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