Appomattox County, Virginia

Updated 10:15PM Eastern
From ABC-13 in Lynchburg:
Appomattox Co., VA – Updated: 10:14 pm State police have now confirmed that eight people have been killed in shootings in Appomattox County. State police say a lone shooter was responsible. They believe their suspect is Christopher Speight, of Appomattox County. He is currently at large, and should be considered armed and dangerous. They say more than 100 law enforcement officials had the suspect circled in woods where they believe he is hiding. Police could not say what sparked the violence. State police say the gunman also fired at a state police helicopter, which had to land with a ruptured fuel tank after one or more rounds struck it.

Updated 9:30 PM Eastern
Here’s the latest from the ABC-13 website in Lynchburg:

Appomattox Co., VA – Updated: 9:01 pm The following information comes from the Associated Press and has not been confirmed by ABC 13. Law enforcement official familiar with the investigation tells The Associated Press that eight people have been killed in shootings in Appomattox County. The official asked for anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about the investigation. State police say there were multiple deaths and injuries Tuesday and that a lone shooter was responsible. They say more than 100 law enforcement officials had the suspect circled in woods where they believe he is hiding. Police could not say what sparked the violence. State police say the gunman also fired at a state police helicopter, which had to land with a ruptured fuel tank after one or more rounds struck it. Updated: 8:20 pm The following information was released to the press by Lynchburg General Hospital. At approximately 1:00 pm, the emergency department at Lynchburg General Hospital was notified a Medical chopper was inbound with an adult male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The patient arrived around 1:30 pm and was rushed to surgery. After a transfer to the neurological intensive care unit the man died. He was pronounced deceased around 5:15 pm. The man’s name will not be released until his family can be notified. State Police confirm multiple fatalities and multiple injuries in a Tuesday afternoon shooting in Appomattox County. Police say this started just after noon Tuesday when they found a man lying in the middle of Route 703 (Snapps Mill Road). State police say the suspect is surrounded in a wooded area. They say he’s not going anywhere. There are more than 100 officers working on the case. Although they have the suspect cornered, they’re not taking any chances because earlier he started shooting at them. Police say the suspect shot at the helicopter forcing it to land due to fuel leakage. At this point, we’re not sure of the identities of the victims. Based off of multiple interviews we’ve done with neighbors, they say this was a family. We’re also hearing a teenager may be among the victims. For now, police are trying to capture who they think is responsible. “He is currently subdued in the wooded area. He is surrounded. The residents in the area know what’s going on. I believe they’ve contacted,” Sgt. Thomas Molner said. As a precaution, Cornerstone Christian Academy on Police Tower Road went on lockdown and an officer placed there. Appomattox County Public Schools are not in session Tuesday. Click here to watch the entire 4:00 p.m. press conference.

earlier post
Appomattox County, Virginia
Virginia State Police continue their search this evening for a gunman that’s killed what VSP described as “multiple victims” in a press conference late Tuesday afternoon. WSET ABC-13 in Lynchburg is following the search. VSP brass also confirmed to the Lynchburg News & Advance that their helicopter had been struck by gunfire 4 times, but landed safely.

As of this post, the killer is still at large.

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