Multiple Fatalities in Shooting in Appomattox, Va.[1/20 man surrenders]

[Moondust]

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/82086452.html


Virginia State Police police are reporting "multiple fatals" and injuries involving a lone gunman in central Virginia. The shooter has not been arrested as police continue their search.



I am worried sick right now...my husband is from there and he can't get in touch with his family members yet....:sad:

[R~O~S]

Ongoing prayers for your family & all impacted Moon.

Please let us know when he makes contact.

[pixiejoolz]

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/82086452.html






I am worried sick right now...my husband is from there and he can't get in touch with his family members yet....:sad:

My thoughts are with you, Moon. Please keep us informed.:rose:

[Moondust]

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/697477.html


Appomattox Co., VA - UPDATED 4:39 p.m.

In a press conference, State Police say there are multiple fatalities in Tuesday afternoon's shooting in Appomattox County. They will not specify how many.

They also said the suspect is still at large, but say they do have him contained in a wooded area.


State Police confirmed that the gunman did indeed shoot and hit a State Police helicopter being used in the search. The chopper had to emergency land because of a fuel leak caused by the gunfire.

Authorities say more than 100 officers are working on the case.

They hope to have more concrete information available around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. We'll bring you new details as we know them.



R~O~S....hubby is on the phone with his mom now....they're all safe and are not sure who the gunman may be...thank goodness.

It's such a small community down there so my thoughts went immediately to them. I'm breathing much better but am still worried about some of hubbies friends....praying they are safe as well.

And my prayers are with all involved in catching this man and those who have been hurt or killed by him....:rose:

[Lynx]

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/82086452.html






I am worried sick right now...my husband is from there and he can't get in touch with his family members yet....:sad:

Om Moon, maybe you will get word soon. Prayers coming your way.:smile:

[Moondust]

Link with news video...sounds like a particular family was the target of the shooter to begin with....those are probally the fatalities...:sad:


http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/697477_video.html?ref=newsstory



Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes...:rose:

[Moondust]

Latest update....

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/697477.html


Appomattox Co., VA - 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).

[R~O~S]

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/697477.html





R~O~S....hubby is on the phone with his mom now....they're all safe and are not sure who the gunman may be...thank goodness.

It's such a small community down there so my thoughts went immediately to them. I'm breathing much better but am still worried about some of hubbies friends....praying they are safe as well.

And my prayers are with all involved in catching this man and those who have been hurt or killed by him....:rose:

Thank goodness the immediate family is safe. Prayers for the entire community ongoing.

I understand, I live in a very small community, every body knows everybody, everyone is connected in much less than 6 degrees of separation.

Give DH a big hug for us, I know the terror in his mind until he talked to Mom. Lived it until we were able to make contact with my son in NYC on 911.

[JennyM]

Is that to the east of Lynchburg, Moon?

[Moondust]

Is that to the east of Lynchburg, Moon?

It's about 20-25 miles east of there on Rt. 460, Jenny.

[JennyM]

It's about 20-25 miles east of there on Rt. 460, Jenny.

I'm glad your MIL is ok, hope hubby's friends are, too. How scary.

[GentleBreeze]

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/

UPDATE 9 p.m.: AP says eight killed in Appomattox shooting

[Moondust]

Ohh, my...thats much more than we expected...

Thanks for that update, GentleBreeze....this is just horrific...I can't even find the words now...:sad:

[GentleBreeze]

OMG this is just horrible. I wonder why LE is being so tight lipped on this though? 8 people? How was he ever able to pull that off? It just blows my mind. I sure hope we don't end up hearing that a bunch of children are involved. You would think adults might have tried to take him on, but kids wouldn't be able to react. It's just heartbreaking. :rose:

I think it is just normal to think that 8 people could have done something to take down the suspect but in reality imo if they had no weapon all they could do is try to run for their lives from the one who did. No one would charge a person that has a loaded weapon pointing straight at them knowing they would die if they got hit.

What another heartbreaking case. I think this is going to turnout to probably be one family that has been completely wiped out.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

Ohh, my...thats much more than we expected...

Thanks for that update, GentleBreeze....this is just horrific...I can't even find the words now...:sad:

Moonie do you think your hubby can find out who this family was?

Because I do think it is going to be family members. I was just wondering if they were well known there.

imo

[Moondust]

Moonie do you think your hubby can find out who this family was?

Because I do think it is going to be family members. I was just wondering if they were well known there.

imo


We're awaiting a call from his brother...really hoping to hear back from him tonight. The location where the shooting took place is on the opposite side of the county from where they live near Pamplin so am guessing they might not know who is responsable for this or who the family may be....for their sake, I really hope they don't know them. This is just too heartbreaking...:crying:

[Moondust]

Wonder if the perp used a machine gun? He killed eight and shot a hole in the tank of a helicopter and made that land. Very scarey.


It is very scary...hubby's mother did tell him that she thought the shooter may have been a marine....I'm guessing that's just something she heard through the grapevine down there so don't want to put much stock in that just yet...must say that the shooter must have some skills in order to hit that helicopter.

[GentleBreeze]

Wonder if the perp used a machine gun? He killed eight and shot a hole in the tank of a helicopter and made that land. Very scarey.


Below article says:

http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=11848839


It is probably going to be some type of semi automatic or automatic rifle. The helicopter was probably hovering right above the tree line when shot at.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

We're awaiting a call from his brother...really hoping to hear back from him tonight. The location where the shooting took place is on the opposite side of the county from where they live near Pamplin so am guessing they might not know who is responsable for this or who the family may be....for their sake, I really hope they don't know them. This is just too heartbreaking...:crying:

Thank you.

Yes, it is so heartbreaking. It is like our country is imploding sometime.

imo

[Moondust]

More from my local newsplex....

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/82086452.html


Canine units and a National Guard helicopter with thermal
imaging equipment were being used to search the woods late Tuesday.
"They are searching the area and will continue until the
suspect is apprehended," State Police Sgt. Thomas Molnar said.
The violence began shortly after noon when an injured man was
found on a rural stretch of road. A deputy who went to investigate
fled after he heard gunshots, said police spokeswoman Corrine
Geller.
"When the deputy arrived on the scene, that's when he heard
several shots," Molnar said.
He said there were "several fatalities." Police were still
trying to determine the suspect's relationship with the victims.
Authorities told nearby residents to stay inside and a small
Christian school was locked down until state police could escort
about 60 children from the building.
Resident Bethel Hawkins said police warned families to lock
their doors in an area with many senior citizens.
"We're just being cautious, keeping our doors locked, not going
outside," said Hawkins, who lives about 2 miles up the road from
where the shootings occurred. "Our church service is supposed to
be tonight, but we talked with our pastor and told him we're not
coming out. We're not going out in the dark not knowing what's out
there. But we trust in the Lord to take care of us."
Appomattox is in a county of about 15,000 approximately 100
miles southwest of Richmond. It is best known as the place where
Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses S.
Grant to end the Civil War.


I really hope they find him soon....this article has put a more personal face on it by hearing about the neighbors fears and to know there was a small christian school in the area as well...:sad:

[GentleBreeze]

Shooter Identified!

http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-appomattox-police-shooting,0,2219426.story

They have identified the suspect as 39-year old Christopher Speight, of Appomattox.

[fastpitch]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/19/virginia.shootings/index.html?hpt=T2

As far as I can tell, this guy is still a fugitive.

[Moondust]

The second video in this link states that he does have a military background...


http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-appomattox-police-shooting,0,2219426.story

[fastpitch]

Deleted. Wrong link.

[yankinthesou]

the police have him cornered (supposedly anyway) between Police Tower road and Snapps Mill Road. Heavily wooded with small streams. Very dark but the National Guard has thermal cameras on a helicopter up there. Noisy and scary right now. Looks like I'm not going to sleep anytime soon...

[Moondust]

If this is not him, I apologize.. but his friends are asking about him.

http://www.facebook.com/christopher.speight#/christopher.speight?v=wall

That's not him, fastpitch....Richell posted a link with the shooters picture.

[Moondust]

the police have him cornered (supposedly anyway) between Police Tower road and Snapps Mill Road. Heavily wooded with small streams. Very dark but the National Guard has thermal cameras on a helicopter up there. Noisy and scary right now. Looks like I'm not going to sleep anytime soon...

Are you there???:scared:

[fastpitch]

I deleted my link. I had a linked a poor guy with the same name.

[yankinthesou]

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

best source yet for info

[fastpitch]

OK. Here is a picture. http://newshopper.sulekha.com/christopher-speight_photo_1128646.htm

[Moondust]

I deleted my link. I had a linked a poor guy with the same name.

Sorry I quoted you then...I've been going crazy on google for nearly an hour trying to find a picture through public records...everytime I got close they popped up wanting money...:angry:

Glad I gave up on that and came back here.

[Moondust]

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

best source yet for info

Thank you, yank...and thanks for joining us here.


I really want to wake my hubby up to see if he knows this guy but he's such a bear when he sleeps...:unsure:

[yankinthesou]

Word in the neighborhood is that he is ex-marine, served in Iraq but sort of whacked since he got back. He has lots of guns, ammo, and night vision goggles at his home, obviously no one knows if he has them now.

[yankinthesou]

word from a deputy is that officer Barry Letterman from Pamplin area was shot and wounded, no word on his condition. He used to be the resource officer at the high school when my kids were there. Pray for Barry.

[Moondust]

Word in the neighborhood is that he is ex-marine, served in Iraq but sort of whacked since he got back. He has lots of guns, ammo, and night vision goggles at his home, obviously no one knows if he has them now.

That's what hubby's mom told him......the scars put on soldiers from fighting these senseless wars is absolutely horrifying...:sad:


Editing to add prayers for Barry....the family probally does know him...:rose:

[Moondust]

word from a deputy is that officer Barry Letterman from Pamplin area was shot and wounded, no word on his condition. He used to be the resource officer at the high school when my kids were there. Pray for Barry.


Hubby just woke up and I asked him if he knew Barry...he does...they were childhood friends...he said he use to go pick watermelons with him all the time...hubby says he's a real good guy. :rose:

He doesn't know the shooter or that family name.

[2Hope4]

Appomattox County supervisor Sam Carter said among the dead were Speight’s wife and son as well as another teenage boy.

Molnar said three of the dead were found inside the house, and five were outside.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

:crying: My prayers are with community and victims in this awful situation!

[Moondust]

why is there always a gun (or guns) handy whenever families get into arguments these days? This is becoming far too common, these stories. I think a lot of these family-type killings might be prevented and the disagreements allowed to blow over if the guns weren't always around...sorry, i know there are a lot who disagree with me on this but is only my opinion...i have lived to the ripe old age of 50 without ever touching a gun or ever having one in a home i have lived in...and i am still here...

Ohh...I totally agree with you...things would blow over without a gun involved...the gun makes it way too easy to act out your anger. I know, I lost a brother to a gun by someone stalking his ex.

Sounds like this man collected guns...some of that probally stems from being in the military. There's only so much that can be done when you're a law-abiding citizen with permits to have them. The gun dealer doesn't have a majic ball to gaze upon when handing that rifle over to the person after the proper steps have been taken.

I still believe in our rights to carry arms even though I did go through a phase after my brothers death where I didn't but once I got through the grieving I regained my senses about a persons right.

I don't own a gun and am sure I never will but I want to make sure that right is available to the grocer down the road or the woman who's been raped.

The bottom line is that we just can't fore-see these things in many of these cases....:sad:

[Moondust]

Latest video interviewing people in the neighborhood....

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/fearful_locals_clamor_for_answers_in_shootings/23309/

[RootBeer]

Update 7:30 a.m.

Christopher Speight, suspected in an Appomattox County shooting that left eight people dead, was apprehended by authorities at 7:10 a.m.

He turned himself in without incident.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

[Moondust]

Update 7:30 a.m.

Christopher Speight, suspected in an Appomattox County shooting that left eight people dead, was apprehended by authorities at 7:10 a.m.

He turned himself in without incident.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

Looks like we posted at the same time...I deleted...thank you so much, Root Beer. I'm sure the community is breathing a huge sigh of relief now.

[airportwoman]

A story on Yahoo said that all eight victims are adults. I wonder what role drugs played in this.

[GentleBreeze]

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

best source yet for info

from your link.

UPDATE 7:56 a.m.

The man police believe shot and killed eight people in Appomattox County before hiding in the woods overnight has been taken into custody.

[watson]

why is there always a gun (or guns) handy whenever families get into arguments these days? This is becoming far too common, these stories. I think a lot of these family-type killings might be prevented and the disagreements allowed to blow over if the guns weren't always around...sorry, i know there are a lot who disagree with me on this but is only my opinion...i have lived to the ripe old age of 50 without ever touching a gun or ever having one in a home i have lived in...and i am still here...

I agree compleetly. Too many guns around. I am all for gun "control" which, in my mind, doesn't mean guns are outlawed.

[Moondust]

A story on Yahoo said that all eight victims are adults. I wonder what role drugs played in this.


At least two of the victims were teens including his teenage son along with his wife....from this link....





http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments



Appomattox County supervisor Sam Carter said among the dead were Speight’s wife and son as well as another teenage boy.


I havn't speculated on drugs being involved yet....something tells me this is not the case here...just a man filled with rage and hate, I'm guessing.

[GentleBreeze]

At least two of the victims were teens including his teenage son along with his wife....from this link....


http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

I havn't speculated on drugs being involved yet....something tells me this is not the case here...just a man filled with rage and hate, I'm guessing.

Although nothing will ever excuse what he has done and if VA has the death penalty then I believe this will be a death penalty case but it will be interesting to know what was happening in his life right around the time that this happened.

I noticed his home was for sale? Where they divorcing? Did he lose his job? It seems he had no criminal record before this if he was able to renew his gun carrying permit as recently as January 6, 2009.

imo

[Moondust]

Although nothing will ever excuse what he has done and if VA has the death penalty then I believe this will be a death penalty case but it will be interesting to know what was happening in his life right around the time that this happened.

I noticed his home was for sale? Where they divorcing? Did he lose his job? It seems he had no criminal record before this if he was able to renew his gun carrying permit as recently as January 6, 2009.

imo

We do have the death penalty and are very swift in carrying out those sentences...I'm sure it'll be a death penalty case....no mention of mental issues for this guy...shouldn't be an excuse anyway, IMO.

I have no direct info. on Speight so your guess is as good as mine as to what may have been going on in his life. Hopefully that will all unfold in the next couple of days.

I'm still anxiously awaiting identities of the victims....:sad:

Hubby talked with his brother this morning who said that he knew Speight but mostly in passing, so no info. from them right now.

[RootBeer]

I read comments on one of the links provided here and locals who knew him were saying his was a strange one who was becoming more distrustful of the government.

[fastpitch]

My prayers go out to the families that are suffering from this nightmare.

[momof6]

Ohh...I totally agree with you...things would blow over without a gun involved...the gun makes it way too easy to act out your anger. I know, I lost a brother to a gun by someone stalking his ex.

Sounds like this man collected guns...some of that probally stems from being in the military. There's only so much that can be done when you're a law-abiding citizen with permits to have them. The gun dealer doesn't have a majic ball to gaze upon when handing that rifle over to the person after the proper steps have been taken.

I still believe in our rights to carry arms even though I did go through a phase after my brothers death where I didn't but once I got through the grieving I regained my senses about a persons right.

I don't own a gun and am sure I never will but I want to make sure that right is available to the grocer down the road or the woman who's been raped.

The bottom line is that we just can't fore-see these things in many of these cases....:sad:


Sorry to here about your brother, that must have been so hard to deal with.

I agree with your post......But I do think that people will still act out without guns...We have a couple cases on this sight right now, such as the Gee family (bludgeoned ) and the Christopher Coleman case, just to name a couple where families have been taken out without guns.

I own a gun, mostly for wild animals, I live in the wilderness......

Back to the topic......This is a tragedy and I'm curious to know why this happened. This story is so heart breaking.

[GentleBreeze]

Sorry to here about your brother, that must have been so hard to deal with.

I agree with your post......But I do think that people will still act out without guns...We have a couple cases on this sight right now, such as the Gee family (bludgeoned ) and the Christopher Coleman case, just to name a couple where families have been taken out without guns.

I own a gun, mostly for wild animals, I live in the wilderness......

Back to the topic......This is a tragedy and I'm curious to know why this happened. This story is so heart breaking.

I agree mom and we have another brutal case here where eight people were bludgeoned to death in Brunswick, Ga. So violence will not stop if these perpetrators have no guns.

When someone is determined to murder someone they will find a way unfortunately.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

Speight's uncle, Jack Giglio of Tampa, Fla., said his nephew was a deer hunter, though as far as he knew Speight did not have any specialized weapons training.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100120/ap_on_re_us/us_appomattox_shootings

[GentleBreeze]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2816301/Eight-killed-in-US-shootings.html

[Moondust]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2816301/Eight-killed-in-US-shootings.html

Wow...he looks nothing like the photo supplied earlier...


There's now a fear of explosives being in or around the house where the shootings took place...

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/82086452.html


Video of latest press release in this link....

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/

[CatToy]

that photo of him has a distinct mark of a gun butt, like from a rifle.
See that?

This is a horrible, horrible crime. Why are so many domestics happening, where families take out their own loved ones? Why?
:rose:

[Moondust]

that photo of him has a distinct mark of a gun butt, like from a rifle.
See that?

This is a horrible, horrible crime. Why are so many domestics happening, where families take out their own loved ones? Why?
:rose:


I think that may just be a scruffy beard, CatToy....guessing his face is really red because it was pretty cold last night...also guessing that's why he gave up this morning.

I'm actually a bit surprised that he didn't do himself in after killing so many...I'll never understand how anyone can live with themselves after commiting murder. This reminds me a bit of the Thanksgiving Day Massacre in Fla....I was really surprised that guy didn't do himself in after killing his family members.

[GentleBreeze]

I think that may just be a scruffy beard, CatToy....guessing his face is really red because it was pretty cold last night...also guessing that's why he gave up this morning.

I'm actually a bit surprised that he didn't do himself in after killing so many...I'll never understand how anyone can live with themselves after committing murder. This reminds me a bit of the Thanksgiving Day Massacre in Fla....I was really surprised that guy didn't do himself in after killing his family members.

It does look like deep bruising but I am not so sure it is from a gun butt. I wonder if he got in a fight with someone right before this happened and then retrieved his gun and went back?

This seems to have stemmed from a family dispute about the home and land where he lived that was willed to him and his sister when his mother passed away.

Anderson said he has known Speight about five years and that she and her husband, David, both have concealed weapons permits and have been to Speight’s home in Appomattox for target practice.“It’s very sad that it happened, I’m just shocked,“ she said. “I didn’t believe it at first. I didn’t want to believe it.“

Anderson said Speight talked to her husband Saturday night about an apparent family dispute involving the home, which was left to Speight and his sister after his mother died.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments


I don't think he set up any incendiary devices on the property for police but he may have to keep other family members off of the section of the land he owns.

So I expect most of the victims will probably be his sister and her immediate family.

imo

[Moondust]

You may be right, GB...I need to find my glasses and take another look.

Hopefully they'll be identifying all the victims and making it public soon...also hoping for an update on Barry's condition....many prayers to all involved...:rose:

[CatToy]

Yep there is only one thing that makes a mark like that: small 2 " rectangle. Looked like he was beat to me, not that I care...just saying.
That is surely what it looks like to me.

What was strange was we all needed a link provided by The Sun in the UK for a photo. Geez!
ETA: Rifle Butt, not gun.

[Moondust]

Update...police are detonating multipe devices at home...


http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/

[GentleBreeze]

Bombs found at Appomattox Co. killings crime scene

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/lynchburg/article/police_investigate_shots_fired_near_appomattox/75735/

3:23 p.m.

By WSLS News Staff & AP
news@wsls.com

Police have found several suspcious devices at the crime scene, and will detonate the devices in a safe manner, rather than trying to examine and disarm the devices. Several explosions may be heard in the area of the crime scene.

[CatToy]

Hey GB I was just listening to that, and wow? They are disarming bombs they've found. :eek: I'm shocked as I thought, well this is a domestic, there won't be any bombs surely. Now look!http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

[Moondust]

Ok...this is what's coming in through the grapevine from hubby's family...

First of all they are saying that Barry Letterman was NOT shot...:thumbup:

Secondly they are saying that when Speight gave up this morning, he came from the woods and tapped an officer on the shoulder...the officer didn't know who he was at first so was caught off guard....thank goodness he didn't come out carrying his gun or shooting upon them.

They have also been hearing the detonations all day...think they said there's been a total of six so far that they could hear.

Please don't take any of this as absolute truth....so much can get twisted in a grapevine.

They have no idea to the identities of the victims, as of yet...:sad:

[GentleBreeze]

Friends Shed Light on Christopher Speight

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/697976.html?ref=rs&cmpid=rss_news_697976

Lynchburg, VA - Christopher Speight, the gunman suspected of killing eight people, graduated from Rustburg High School in 1988, but he transferred there in his senior year after attending Halifax County High School.

His friends tell us he was working as a security officer for Old Dominion Security Company.

People in the community have very strong opinions about Speight. Those who know him best say they can't believe he's now locked up in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Lynchburg.

Robert Snow trained as a security officer with Chris Speight. He says the man he knows, doesn't match with what he's seen on TV.

"I'm very shocked because this is extremely out of the ordinary for Chris, it really is," he said.

Snow says Speight does have a knack for firearms and is one of the best marksmen he's ever seen. He's so good that Snow says police are lucky he turned himself in.

"Chris didn't have to give up. I believe he would have been able to pick them off one by one until eventually somebody would have got him but I believe the body count would have been a lot higher," Snow said.

The co-owner of the Sunshine Market II, Connie Anderson, calls Speight her favorite security guard, and said “He just wouldn't go out and do this."

Store workers tell us he changed two years ago after his mother died of brain cancer. More recently, they say he told them his sister was trying to kick him out of the house they co-owned.

"Chris felt like they were trying to get him out of that house, they wanted the house to themselves," Anderson said.

"Personally, I think he felt very threatened by that because it was set up the way he wanted," Anderson said.

Still, Snow says he can't believe anything could push Speight that far.

"Chris is a very fine human being and unfortunately people don't remember all of the good things we do, just the bad things," he said.

The Appomattox County Commonwealth Attorney's Office has yet to set a court date for Speight. We're told he could be placed on the docket Thursday. We've also learned the 39-year-old Speight has never married and does not have children.

[GentleBreeze]

So it seems he had no wife or children.

From the above link.

The Appomattox County Commonwealth Attorney's Office has yet to set a court date for Speight. We're told he could be placed on the docket Thursday. We've also learned the 39-year-old Speight has never married and does not have children.

[Details]

...."Chris is a very fine human being and unfortunately people don't remember all of the good things we do, just the bad things," he said.....This guy doesn't get it - when you do something that bad, it DOES erase anything good you do. His victims had good lives too, people and friends who loved them, and did plenty of good things - and he has stopped all of them.

[GentleBreeze]

http://news.therecord.com/article/659674

As of late Wednesday, bomb squads had found and detonated seven explosives. The blasting was expected to continue into Thursday.

[Moondust]

One more thing I need to add that came from family...

Speight made all his own bullets and explosives....am guessing that's why he easily struck that helicopter.

[Moondust]

So it seems he had no wife or children.

From the above link.

The Appomattox County Commonwealth Attorney's Office has yet to set a court date for Speight. We're told he could be placed on the docket Thursday. We've also learned the 39-year-old Speight has never married and does not have children.

Oh boy....then it must have been his sister and nephew that was mentioned in previous reports as being his wife and son.

[GentleBreeze]

Oh boy....then it must have been his sister and nephew that was mentioned in previous reports as being his wife and son.

I think so. This seems to be centered around the dispute about the house and land they inherited together so I would think his target would have been his sister and her immediate family. I have heard that some others were there at the time that were also killed that aren't family.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

List of victims.

State Police ID victims in Appomattox Co. shootings

In a news release, State Police listed these names:

—Ronald I. Scruggs II, 16, of Dillwyn, Va.
—Emily A. Quarles, 15, of Appomattox, Va.
—Karen Quarles, 43, of Appomattox, Va.
—Jonathan L. Quarles, 43, of Appomattox, Va.
—Dwayne S. Sipe, 38, of Appomattox, Va.
—Lauralee Sipe, 38, of Appomattox, Va.
—Joshua Sipe, 4, of Appomattox, Va.
—Morgan L. Dobyns, 15, of Appomattox, Va.

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/lynchburg/article/state_police_id_victims_in_appomattox_co._shooting s/76192/

[tv4me]

Wasn't the mother of the 4 year old, the killer's sister and wasn't she also pregnant? As another poster already said, this does remind me of the Thanksgiving Day murders. I wonder if this killer also had a history of mental problems as did the Thanksgiving Day murderer.

[Moondust]

Wasn't the mother of the 4 year old, the killer's sister and wasn't she also pregnant? As another poster already said, this does remind me of the Thanksgiving Day murders. I wonder if this killer also had a history of mental problems as did the Thanksgiving Day murderer.

She was his sister but I can't find any info. in regards to her being pregnant....from this link...

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/News/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/#comments

Lauralee Sipe is listed as Speight’s only sister in their mother’s 2006 obituary. Dwayne Sipe is listed as Lauralee’s husband.


This is so much worse than imagined, knowing that three teenagers and a four year old was among the murdered....so sad.

[Moondust]

Memorial planned for victims....


http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/gunshots_heard_as_authorities_investigate_appomatt ox_county_incident/23294/


Updated 1:56 p.m.

Appomattox County educators and students are mourning the deaths of three teens who were among eight people slain Tuesday.

“We have lost three students to a senseless act of violence,“ Appomattox County High School Principal Michael Kelly said at a news conference this morning. “Our faculty and students are experiencing the full spectrum of grief, from denial and anger to acceptance. But we have great support.“

Students and faculty plan to build a memorial to honor the teenage victims, but no specifics have yet been worked out.

Schools Superintendent Dorinda Grasty said that crisis guidance counselors and additional trained response teams have been brought in to support grieving students and staffs at county schools.



Much more at link....:rose:

[GentleBreeze]

Oh my, the home did not belong to his sister and him like it was first thought. It was his home that his grandparents left him in a Trust.

http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=11845860

[B]State police are still not commenting on what caused Christopher Speight to possibly kill eight people. Many have wondered if a disagreement over Speight's house may have set him off.

Some who are close to the situation say Speight and his sister, Lauralee Sipe, were fighting over the house on Snapps Mill Road that Speight was living in.

Speight's grandparents left the house to him in a trust. Lauralee Sipe was the trustee, or legal go between person for that trust. It was her job to make sure Speight got the house when his grandparents died.

Sipe's attorney, Henry Devening, says Lauralee came to his office last week and signed over the deed to the house for her brother.

Devening wonders if Speight knew about the transaction. Because of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Devening thinks there might have been a delay in getting paperwork filed to show Speight that he was the rightful owner of the house.[/

[Moondust]

Speight must have been planning something horrific for along time....

http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=11845860

Law enforcement continue to investigate the murders that occurred on Tuesday in Appomattox County. State police spent Wednesday canvassing the residence and grounds for evidence.

Here's what law enforcement found:

•Provisions were found that included food, water and sleeping bags
•Night-vision equipment
•Ballistic body armor
•Large amounts of ammunition
•Large number of weapons, including pistols and long guns
•Several improvised explosive devices - found inside and outside the home
Speight shared the home with four of the victims and was acquainted with the other four. He's being held at the Blue Ridge Regional jail in Lynchburg without bond and has been charged with one count of first-degree murder. Additional charges are pending.

[GentleBreeze]

Speight must have been planning something horrific for along time....

http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=11845860

Here's what law enforcement found:

•Provisions were found that included food, water and sleeping bags
•Night-vision equipment
•Ballistic body armor
•Large amounts of ammunition
•Large number of weapons, including pistols and long guns
•Several improvised explosive devices - found inside and outside the home
Speight shared the home with four of the victims and was acquainted with the other four. He's being held at the Blue Ridge Regional jail in Lynchburg without bond and has been charged with one count of first-degree murder. Additional charges are pending.

I don't think all of these things shows that he had been planning this for a long time.

He may have camped on his 34 acres so he would have sleeping bags and supplies.

Many hunters have night vision goggles. He also may have obtained them for work.

The body armor (bullet proof vest) was probably what he got for his job as a Security Guard.

Everyone that knew him knew he was an avid hunter and had a firing range on his property so having large amounts of ammunition is not uncommon.

He has long been known for years as a gun collector. He probably also had guns that were handed down to him by his grandfather.

BUT the explosive devises are eerie and maybe shows he was paranoid for some reason. He never set them off as far as we know.

imo

[Moondust]

You are probally right, GB.
He was paranoid over the government though...that's what makes me think he may have been planning something big.

I wonder if he had gotten that notice from his sister signing over the rights to his home would have stoped this whole catastrophie from ever happening...I don't know...it sems to me she would have told him that she had done so before he went on his rampage.

[tv4me]

Just like I thought, he has mental problems just like the Thanksging Day killer who also killed a little child. Why is it that the mentally ill are able to buy weapons and guns? The guy who slaughtered his ex wife and her entire family last Christmas was also mentally ill and had guns.

[Moondust]

Just like I thought, he has mental problems just like the Thanksging Day killer who also killed a little child. Why is it that the mentally ill are able to buy weapons and guns? The guy who slaughtered his ex wife and her entire family last Christmas was also mentally ill and had guns.

Some people are claiming he was mental but no proof of him ever being treated for mental issues have come forth yet....words from the attorney who handled the family affairs with home...


My relationship with these folks was purely business, but Lauralee was a great person," Devening said. "Very motivated to take care of the family. I can't imagine why he would turn on her."

Speight had an apparent learning disability and history of mental problems, and "ran away" from his sister's Georgia home during a breakdown in 2007, Devening said.

Devening said he does not know if Speight was treated or hospitalized but said the family decided then that his sister and the attorney should become the trustees.

Speight never objected.

"He was just kind of an inadequate person. He just did not want the responsibility of being the trustee," Devening said. "Looking back, I'm not quite sure why we chose him, other than that he was a resident of Virginia and lived with the grandparents at the time."



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583389,00.html

[GentleBreeze]

You are probably right, GB.
He was paranoid over the government though...that's what makes me think he may have been planning something big.

I wonder if he had gotten that notice from his sister signing over the rights to his home would have stooped this whole catastrophe from ever happening...I don't know...it seems to me she would have told him that she had done so before he went on his rampage.


There certainly is something missing in this story imo. It just makes no sense if he was aware that she had signed the paperwork turning over the home and property to him.

I would think she would have made him aware of that immediately when she went to the lawyer's office and she would have the paperwork to show him where she was going to record it at the courthouse the first day they were open for business.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

Just like I thought, he has mental problems just like the Thanksgiving Day killer who also killed a little child. Why is it that the mentally ill are able to buy weapons and guns? The guy who slaughtered his ex wife and her entire family last Christmas was also mentally ill and had guns.

I don't think it has been proven he had mental problems sufficient enough to be under mental health care treatment or that he was mentally ill.

All I have read is he had some learning disabilities and struggled with the passing of his mother whom he was very close to.

Anyone can obtain a firearm if they are a mind to even if it is illegal ones. It will never stop someone who is determined to murder someone. They will find a way.

He may have plummeted into depression when he lost his mother but that doest mean he was mentally ill.

To obtain a firearm through a licensed dealer the buyer has to consent to having a FBI criminal background check run. Since this man only has one speeding ticket on his record over 10 years ago he has no criminal history.

imo

[R~O~S]

There certainly is something missing in this story imo. It just makes no sense if he was aware that she had signed the paperwork turning over the home and property to him.

I would think she would have made him aware of that immediately when she went to the lawyer's office and she would have the paperwork to show him where she was going to record it at the courthouse the first day they were open for business.

imo

I'm not sure we'll ever know what caused this, I've seen someone close to me spiral downward due to clinical depression. I can tell you honestly my loved one didn't see anything "unusual" or "out of proportion" in his actions or reactions while it was happening.

An annual neighborhood cookout he forgot about was a major problem & whatever that problem was, was my fault. The reaction was so extreme it frightened me. Keep in mind the only expectation was that he would attend for an hour or two at any time during the day.

The deed to the house had been turned over to him. The house & land was no longer part of the trust. Property taxes and property upkeep immediately became solely his responsibility.

Was that the stressor? Were there taxes due or about to come due on the property? Was he inheriting a lien for taxes not paid since 2006 & a property near subject to foreclosure because of it?

Totally irrational to kill 8 people over such a thing, but if he was battling clinical depression, without treatment, it very well could have been enough to cause such an extreme reaction when the method, the guns, were readily accessible to him.

Just tossing it out there, it's a total guess.

[Moondust]

Morgan Dobyns was the first victim to be laid to rest yesterday...:rose:

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/699208.html


Lynchburg, VA - Family and friends gathered on Sunday to mourn the loss of 15-year old Morgan Dobyns. Dobyns was one of the eight victims killed in Tuesday's tragedy. The family has asked for their privacy in their time of grief, so no cameras were allowed inside the funeral. Cars filled the parking lot at the Heritage Funeral home where Dobyns was laid to rest.

Dobyns' lived with her mother, Lauralee Sipe and brother Joshua in the home where the shootings occurred. Her best friend, Emily Quarles and Bo Scruggs were also killed in the shootings. Those who knew her say she had a vibrant personality and loved to hang out with her friends.


Video link....

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/699208_video.html?ref=newsstory

[Moondust]

Memorial for the Quarles...

http://cfc.wset.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=57504


Friends say goodbye to the Sipe family...

http://cfc.wset.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=57415


Bo Scruggs father suffers heart attack before his son is laid to rest...that info is included in the video of the Quarles memorial.



Warrant describes Speights stockpile of weapons....

http://cfc.wset.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=57420&category=loc

[tv4me]

Has it ever been mentioned why the Quarles were at the house? Were they just visiting and were at the wrong place at the wrong time, or were they living with the other family in the same house?

[Moondust]

Court date set for Speight....

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0210/702191.html

Appomattox Co., VA - The preliminary hearing has been set for the man accused of killing eight people last month in Appomattox County.

Right now Christopher Speight is only charged with first degree murder in the death of his sister, Laura Lee Sipe.


His preliminary hearing on that charge is scheduled for April 29th.

The Commonwealth's Attorney says he plans to file more charges, including capital murder, once the investigation is complete.


Editing to add that Speight has hired two lawyers...

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/700173.html

[Moondust]

Has it ever been mentioned why the Quarles were at the house? Were they just visiting and were at the wrong place at the wrong time, or were they living with the other family in the same house?

According to this article it's really not known why they were there....visiting, I guess.

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/698834.html


Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Quarles family says they won't be able to have closure until they know more details.

Karen, Jon, and their teenage daughter Emily were three of the eight killed during Tuesday's shooting.

The couple's children are planning the funeral for the three. They all lived close to the Quarles home and to the scene of the shooting, nut they still aren't sure how their loved ones got caught in the crossfire.

"They are sad, they are still in shock, they are angry, they have lots of questions... the why keeps coming up. Why did this have to happen?" Quarles Family Spokeswoman Cheryl Moore said.