The man accused of murdering two campus police officers at a Virginia college this week was ordered held without bond Wednesday during a hearing in which he was strapped to a chair, according to reports.
Alexander Campbell, a former student at Bridgewater College, was arraigned Wednesday on five felony charges related to the on-campus killing, including two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree murder.
Campbell appeared before the court by video conference, and was apparently restrained to a chair, according to Richmond’s WWBT News.
A court-appointed attorney representing Campbell requested a mental health evaluation of his client before his next scheduled court appearance, which is currently set for Feb. 16.
Campbell is being held without bond.
Alexander Campbell was arraigned on five charges related to the fatal shooting at Bridgewater College. Virginia State Police
Campus safety officer JJ Jefferson and campus police officer John Painter were both killed in the shooting. Matthew Cosner/Courtesy of Bridgewater College via APThe Ashland, Va., resident attended the school from 2013 to 2017, according to a Bridgewater College spokesperson.
Cheryl Campbell, the suspect’s mother, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Wednesday that her son had mental health issues.
“My son is mentally ill and he did something that I could not control and no one could come to help him,” Cheryl Campbell said. “I’m sorry for what has happened. I could not prevent it.”
Asked for specifics on his mental illness, she told the paper, “I just don’t even know how to respond to that. As a parent, I have not been able to help him because he’s a legal adult.”
Police at the scene of the shooting at Bridgewater College on Feb. 1, 2022. Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record Via AP
Police officers approaching alleged gunman Campbell. Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record Via AP“It’s not about gun control. It is not,” she told the paper. “It is about mental illness and how we have no control over that, the way society is right now. I can’t help my son.”
Campbell is accused of killing campus police officer John Painter and campus safety officer JJ Jefferson, shooting the pair after they responded to a call of a suspicious individual, state police said.
Campbell then fled on foot into the town of Bridgewater, about 140 miles southwest of Washington, DC, according to police.
Campbell was apprehended by officers from multiple agencies 35 minutes later, according to authorities.
Bridgewater College students exiting a campus building following the fatal shooting. Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via APHe was treated for a gunshot wound after his capture. Police said Tuesday it was unclear who fired the shot that hit Campbell.
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