Police hunt gunman in heavy forest

[philw]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26611319-5006301,00.html

UP to eight people are dead and at least one other injured after a shooting rampage in central Virginia.


A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that eight people have been killed in the shootings.

The official asked for anonymity because the person was not authorised to speak about the investigation.

The Times-Virginian reports the suspect, identified as a lone male gunman, is still at large, although law enforcement officers believe they have him boxed in an area of woodlands

Spokesman for the Virginia State police Sergeant Thomas Molnar said there had been "several fatalities that relate to a shooting that was in the area''.

"There is just one male suspect,'' he added.

Police were alerted to the violence shortly after noon (local time) when emergency dispatchers received a call about an injured man lying in the road.

When an officer arrived on the scene in Appomattox County, he heard shots being fired, according to officials.

Additional shots were then fired at a Virginia State Police helicopter, causing a fuel leak that forced the chopper to land.

"He is currently subdued in a wooded area. He's surrounded," Sgt Molnar told the Times-Virginian.

"Once we have more concrete information to release, we will."

The multiple homicide is believed to be one of the worst in several generations in Appomattox County.

Sgt Molnar said the Virginia State Police have dispatched their canine unit and tactical team to the scene.

The Appomattox County Sheriff's Department has notified residents near the shooting to lock their doors and at least two families have been evacuated to ensure their safety.

State Police Lieutenant Craig Worsham said the suspect had not attempted to make any contact with officers at the scene.

Sgt Worsham added that the suspect is believed to have a strong knowledge of the woods and terrain where he is hiding.

[crusader rabbit]

Haven't seen anything on this story.  But it won't take long for the anti-personal-defense idiots to start calling for a total ban on all firearms.  After seeing all the damage caused by pen and ink and politicians, I'm thinking we should start banning paper mills and word processing software, and the dim bulbs in Congress.