This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8469931.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Virginia shootings man surrenders | Virginia shootings man surrenders |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A man suspected of shooting dead eight people in rural Virginia has given himself up after a manhunt in which a US police helicopter was fired on. | A man suspected of shooting dead eight people in rural Virginia has given himself up after a manhunt in which a US police helicopter was fired on. |
| Bomb teams are searching the area for explosive devices which may have been planted in the man's house and surrounding woods. | Bomb teams are searching the area for explosive devices which may have been planted in the man's house and surrounding woods. |
| Police said medical examiners would try to identify the victims once the area has been secured. | Police said medical examiners would try to identify the victims once the area has been secured. |
| The suspect is reported to have been personally acquainted with the victims. | The suspect is reported to have been personally acquainted with the victims. |
| The man, named as Christopher Speight, 39, turned himself in at about 0710 (1210 GMT) after an all-night stand-off with police, who had surrounded woodland just outside the town of Appomattox. | The man, named as Christopher Speight, 39, turned himself in at about 0710 (1210 GMT) after an all-night stand-off with police, who had surrounded woodland just outside the town of Appomattox. |
| The local sheriff said Mr Speight was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he surrendered, but was not armed and did not need any medical attention. | The local sheriff said Mr Speight was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he surrendered, but was not armed and did not need any medical attention. |
| Police are searching the area where he was hiding overnight for a high-powered rifle they believe he used to shoot at a helicopter which had been called to the scene. | Police are searching the area where he was hiding overnight for a high-powered rifle they believe he used to shoot at a helicopter which had been called to the scene. |
| The helicopter's fuel tanks were hit by four bullets, forcing it to land. | The helicopter's fuel tanks were hit by four bullets, forcing it to land. |
| A sheriff said he believed that the suspect had had weapons training, based on arms found in the house. | A sheriff said he believed that the suspect had had weapons training, based on arms found in the house. |
| Mr Speight has been taken to Appomattox regional jail, pending charges. | Mr Speight has been taken to Appomattox regional jail, pending charges. |
| A spokesman for Virginia's governor said the suspect was being debriefed and was being very co-operative, although a motive for the shooting was still being investigated. | A spokesman for Virginia's governor said the suspect was being debriefed and was being very co-operative, although a motive for the shooting was still being investigated. |
| Manhunt | |
| News of the shootings broke on Tuesday afternoon and everyday life in the area was paralysed, with local schools closing down as police hunted for the gunman. | News of the shootings broke on Tuesday afternoon and everyday life in the area was paralysed, with local schools closing down as police hunted for the gunman. |
| The authorities were first alerted when they received a call about an injured person lying in the middle of a road. | The authorities were first alerted when they received a call about an injured person lying in the middle of a road. |
| When a deputy arrived at the scene, he heard gunfire and called for back-up. | When a deputy arrived at the scene, he heard gunfire and called for back-up. |
| The injured man was taken to hospital where he died of his wounds. | The injured man was taken to hospital where he died of his wounds. |
| Police from across the state were brought into the densely wooded area, which is about 100 miles (160km) south-west of Virginia's capital, Richmond. | Police from across the state were brought into the densely wooded area, which is about 100 miles (160km) south-west of Virginia's capital, Richmond. |
| Police dogs and a National Guard helicopter with thermal imaging equipment were used to search the woods. | Police dogs and a National Guard helicopter with thermal imaging equipment were used to search the woods. |
| Mr Speight is the co-owner of the house in Snapps Mill Road, where the first reported victim was found. | Mr Speight is the co-owner of the house in Snapps Mill Road, where the first reported victim was found. |
| He also owns a large tract of land next to the house. | He also owns a large tract of land next to the house. |
| The Washington Post quoted local officials as saying two of the dead were believed to be his wife and son. | The Washington Post quoted local officials as saying two of the dead were believed to be his wife and son. |
| Police found three bodies inside the house and another four outside. The eighth victim was the man found injured in the street. | Police found three bodies inside the house and another four outside. The eighth victim was the man found injured in the street. |
| County Administrator Aileen Ferguson said it was one of the worst mass killings in Virginia's history, "probably the worst since the Virginia Tech killings in 2007", when a student shot 32 people . | County Administrator Aileen Ferguson said it was one of the worst mass killings in Virginia's history, "probably the worst since the Virginia Tech killings in 2007", when a student shot 32 people . |
| Are you in Virginia? Have you been affected by the incidents today? Send us your comments, pictures and video. | Are you in Virginia? Have you been affected by the incidents today? Send us your comments, pictures and video. |
| Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |