December 8, 2011

Virginia Tech was on lockdown after two people were killed, the school said Thursday, adding that a suspect remained at large.

One of the dead is a police officer, the school said.

Shortly after noon, a Virginia Tech police officer stopped a vehicle for a routine traffic stop in the Coliseum parking lot near McComas Hall, and the officer was shot and killed, school spokesman Mark Owczarski said. There were witnesses, he said.

The shooter fled on foot toward a parking lot called the cage. At that lot, a second person was found dead, Owczarski said.

Several law enforcement agencies have responded, including the FBI.

Virginia State Police have been requested to take the lead in the investigation, Owczarski said.

The status of the shooter is unknown, he said, calling on the campus community to remain on lockdown. On its website, the school said the suspect remained at large.

"Suspect described as white male, gray sweat pants, gray hat w/neon green brim, maroon hoodie and backpack. On foot towards McComas," the school said in posts on its website and Twitter feed.

"There is an active campus alert in Blacksburg," the website says. "Everyone should seek shelter or stay where you are. Blacksburg Transit service is suspended until the alert is lifted."

Brian Walls, a school employee, told CNN he heard 10 to 15 different sirens go by, and when he looked outside he saw a large group of officers. "I ended up seeing an individual on the ground," he said, and rescue workers appeared to be attempting resuscitation.

"Then the campus alarm alerts went off," and he got back inside, he said.

The Cassell Coliseum at Virginia Tech houses athletic facilities. McComas Hall houses exercise facilities.

In 2007, 33 people were killed when student Seung-Hui Cho went on a shooting rampage at the campus. That took place at West Ambler Johnston Hall, across the street from the Coliseum lot.

Classes for the semester ended Wednesday. Students were preparing Thursday for final exams.
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