Christopher Speight Kills Eight – In Appamattox, Virginia, 39-year old Christoper B. Speight shot and killed eight people, including his wife and teenage son.
Christopher Speight was captured in the woods near his home, still in possession of the high-powered huntng rifle he used to down a police helicopter yesterday.
Authorities are not sure the rifle was the same weapon used in the eight slayings, but are pleased to have finally caught Speight after the manhunt finally ended at 7:30 a.m. this morning.
State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Christopher B. Speight, 39, was taken into custody without incident.
“He was near the crime scene and physically approached law enforcement at the scene,” Geller said.
And that’s the latest from Action News on Christopher Speight kills eight.
One victim was found in the the road, four bodies were outside the residence and three were inside, Geller said. She said Speight was acquainted with the victims but declined to specify the relationship.
Sam Carter, a member of the Appamattox County Board of Supervisors, said yesterday the dead included Speight’s wife and son as well as another teenage boy.
Full identities of those victims have not been released. State Police said the victims included males and females.
It all started about noon on Tuesday, when Appomattox County emergency dispatchers received a call about a man lying in Snapps Mill Road who needed medical attention.
When police arrived, they heard more gunshots nearby, which sparked calls for assistance from neighboring counties.
About an hour and a half later, a State Police helicopter sustained damage from four shots, including one that hit a fuel line, forcing it to land.
A security perimeter was established around the area by police, who planned to tighten the cordon with more than 100 officers in camoflauge and body armor this morning when Speight unexpectedly surrendered.
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