MURDER USA: Alexander Campbell charged with slaying of police officers J. J. Jefferson and John Painter at Bridgewater College Campus

BRIDGEWATER, VA. – The investigation remains underway by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office into the fatal shootings of two officers on the Bridgewater College campus on February 1, 2022. Police arrested Alexander Wyatt Campbell and have charged him with murder.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corrine Geller reports that the incident began at approximately 1:20 p.m. Tuesday when a Bridgewater College Police Officer and a Bridgewater College Campus Safety Officer responded to a call for a suspicious adult male being located on the grounds of Memorial Hall. After a brief interaction with the man, the subject opened fire and shot both officers. The man then fled on foot.

The Virginia State Police identified the two slain officers as  Bridgewater College Police Officer John E. Painter, 55, and Bridgewater College Campus Safety Officer Vashon “JJ” A. Jefferson, 48.

Immediately following a 911 call, the Bridgewater College Police Department, Town of Bridgewater Police Department, Virginia State Police, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, City of Harrisonburg Police, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Dayton Police Department, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Police immediately responded to the scene. Search efforts were immediately underway across the campus.

THE DAILY NEWS RECORD REPORTS: According to witnesses on the scene, Campbell was a former student at Bridgewater College and ran cross country for the Eagles. According to an online bio on the Eagles athletic website which was no longer available late Tuesday, Campbell last ran for BC in 2015, placing 13th at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference meet, and was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School. Bridgewater College President David Bushman said campus police officer John Painter and safety officer J.J. Jefferson died from their injuries.

A man fitting the shooter’s description was located on Riverside Drive in the town of Bridgewater. He then waded through the river and onto an island in the North River, which is located in the town of Bridgewater. Harrisonburg Police, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Deputies and Virginia State Police Special Agents took the individual into custody without further incident.

Police say that the man, identified as Alexander Wyatt Campbell, 27, was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Campbell was transported to Rockingham Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released. State police are still working to determine if he was shot by the Bridgewater College Police Officer or suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Multiple firearms associated with Campbell have been recovered as evidence. Campbell’s last known address was Ashland, Va.

Virginia State Police charged Campbell with a total of four felonies: 2 counts of capital murder, 1 count of first-degree murder, and 1 count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Campbell is being held without bond at the Rockingham County Jail.

BC student and HHS graduate Alex Hulleman, 21, was in Flory Hall and heard shots and moaning. After, he said he saw two campus safety officers down and their bodies were covered with sheets. pic.twitter.com/criCUJz3JC

— Ian Munro – Daily News-Record (@iamIanMunro) February 1, 2022

Virginia State Police are requesting anyone with video/images or information related to this shooting, to please share with investigators at vsphtcs@vsp.virginia.gov.

The FBI and ATF are assisting with the ongoing criminal investigation.

Despite the valiant efforts of responding officers and paramedics, the two officers succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

Bridgewater College President Dr. David Bushman confirmed in an email to students that Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson and Campus Police Officer John Painter “were shot and killed on campus while protecting us.”
“These officers were close friends, known to many of us as the ‘dynamic duo.’ John was J.J.’s best man in his wedding this year,” Bushman wrote. “They were beloved by students, faculty, and staff. I hurt for their families and loved ones, as I know we all do.”

Virginia Court Records

Court records show that Campbell was charged on July 2, 2017, with felony shoplifting in Harrisonburg/Rockingham General District Court. The case was amended to a misdemeanor and on January 17, 2019, was dismissed. Supervised probation was ordered in the case.