2 Dead, including Police Officer, after Virginia Tech Shooting Incident

Courtesy of CNN:

Two people, including a Virginia Tech police officer, were dead after a shooting incident on Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg earlier this afternoon., the university said.

Witnesses saw the police officer being shot during a traffic stop on campus, and the second victim was found dead at a nearby parking lot toward which the gunman had been seen fleeing, the university said. The status of the shooter was not immediately known, and the campus was on lockdown Thursday afternoon, spokesman Mark Owczarski said.

The incident comes more than four years after a shooting spree in which a Virginia Tech student, 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, shot dead 32 people on the campus before killing himself in April 2007.

The following are running updates on Thursday’s incident:

[Updated 2:46 p.m. ET] Tauhid Chappell, a student on campus, told CNN that he and other students were getting information through the school alert system, and through the web and radio.

Things felt “very quiet and still,” he said. Classes for the semester ended Wednesday. Students were preparing Thursday for final exams.

[Updated 2:45 p.m. ET] A university spokesman says police have a description of a suspect and are searching “absolutely everywhere for the person who matches the description.”

The campus is on lockdown, and people on campus are urged to “shelter in place,” the spokesman said. The university is urging that no one visit campus, he said.

[Updated 2:10 p.m. ET] Six agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are at Virginia Tech to help with the response to Thursday’s shooting, ATF spokesman Scot Thomasson said, according to CNN’s Carol Cratty. Twenty additional agents are on standby, he added.

“The agents are very familiar with the campus and the buildings” because they have worked with Blacksburg police since the 2007 mass shooting on campus, Thomasson said.

[Updated 2:07 p.m. ET] The staff of the Collegiate Times newspaper has been evacuated from its offices in the Squires Student Center on the Virginia Tech campus, the paper’s Twitter feed reports.

[Updated 1:56 p.m. ET] A Virginia Tech police officer has been shot and killed after making a traffic stop on the university’s campus, Mark Owczarski, the university’s director of news and information, said Thursday.

The suspect fled on foot toward another parking lot where a second person was also found dead, he said.

The shooter is still at large, he said.

[Updated 1:39 p.m. ET] Sirens were heard around the Virginia Tech campus Thursday, and rescue workers were trying to resuscitate a person who was on the ground, school employee Brian Walls told CNN. The school was on lockdown after shots were reported, and the school’s website said a police officer was shot.

Follow the incident via the Twitter feed of the school’s newspaper, the Collegiate Times. These reports have not been confirmed by CNN.

[Updated 1:16 p.m. ET] A police officer has been shot on or near the campus of Virginia Tech, the university’s website says. A possible second victim is reported down in a parking lot and the suspect is at large, the website says.

Classes for the semester ended Wednesday. Students were preparing Thursday for final exams.

[Posted 1:01 p.m. ET] The campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg is on lockdown after a report of shots being fired on the campus.

The suspected shooter is described as a white male wearing gray sweat pants, a gray hat with a neon green brim and a maroon hoodie and carrying a backpack, according to the university’s website.

Those on campus should seek shelter or stay where they are, the website says.

In April 2007, Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old Virginia Tech student, shot dead 32 people on the campus before killing himself.

Celebrities React To Death Of Amy Winehouse

Many people like myself are in total disbelief as the news of Amy Winehouse’s death reaches the masses.  I honestly loved her music, both of her CD’s Frank and Back to Black evoke a certain musical genius that many artists can’t tap into. Its’ so unfortunate how alcohol and drugs, and other self-destructive patterns can affect us all in the long run.  I hope others who may be experiencing her type of troubles will learn from this and seek help.

Jessie J:

“The way tears are streaming down my face. Such a loss. RIP Amy. Man…. Something tells me that we’ll be talking about Amy in 30 yrs time in the same way we tlk about other music legends who’s lives ended early.

 

Rihanna:

Dear God have mercy!!! I am SICK about this right now! I am genuinely heartbroken about this. #DearAmy U made a MAJAH impression on this industry and throughout the world, in such a short space of time…too short! #ICONSneverDIE

Alexandra Burke:

Omg Amy Winehouse. I am so so sad… My heart goes out to her family. She was so talented and such a lovely lady. May her soul rest in peace. Gone too soon and so young

Nicki Minaj:

Please tell me Amy Winehouse didn’t die. Is this some sick joke?

Monica:

I appreciate artists with true talent that aren’t afraid to be an individual, Amy Winehouse was that. U nor your music will be forgotten.

Melanie Fiona:

I’m so terribly saddened by the death of Amy Winehouse. One of music’s finest and my favourites. Tragic. Smh. #RipAmyWinehouse

Katy Perry:

RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace

JLS (Oritse):

I can’t believe what i’ve just been told! Amy Winehouse you are one of my all time music heroes! You are now in a better place…times like this remind me why its so important to live live to the fullest!! Amy Winehouse you will be a legend in all out hearts!

Usher:

I’m so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse’s death. I’m so happy I knew you Amy…Rest Well. Gone Too Soon…we’ll miss you!

Rita Ora:

RIP Amy Winehouse…Drugs are evil…the devil preys on the weak, don’t support him. Such a loss

Bruno Mars:

Kanye said it best ‘If you admire somebody, you should go ‘head and tell em’ People never get the flowers while they can still smell em’

Estelle:

Beyond hurt right now.

Keri Hilson:

Amy Winehouse…so tragic. I loved her. She inspired me! I kept hoping she’d find a happier place than her self destructive state…damn.

Diddy:

RIP Amy Winehouse

Update: Breaking News: Amy Winehouse Dead At 27

Authorities confirmed that a 27-year-old female was pronounced dead at an apartment in Northern London’s Camden Square, but the cause of death was not immediately known.  Amy Winehouse, who was not identified by name, had died before ambulances arrived at the scene.

“Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased,” read a press release from the Metropolitan Police. “On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained.”

The soul-jazz singer rose to fame with the release of her 2006 album Back to Black, which won five Grammys and made the beehived singer one of music’s most recognizable stars.

She publicly battled an addiction to drugs and alcohol and was in and out of rehab several times throughout the years.

Celebrities flooded Twitter with their condolences, including Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Nas. “R.I.P Sis. Why u couldn’t chill???? why the F*ck U Leave? Love U Sis!” wrote a saddened Nas.

POLITICAL: U.S. Forces Kill Elusive Terror Figure Osama bin Laden in Pakistan….Should We Celebrate? or Anticpate More Terror?

VIA: CNN WIRE PRESS

(CNN) — Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil, is dead, officials said — almost 10 years after the attacks that killed about 3,000 people.

The founder and leader of al Qaeda was killed by U.S. forces Monday in a mansion in Abbottabad, north of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, along with other family members, a senior U.S. official told CNN.

In an address to the nation Sunday night, U.S. President Barack Obama called bin Laden’s death “the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.”

 A U.S. official told CNN that bin Laden was buried at sea. The official said his body was handled in the Islamic tradition, but did not elaborate.

Half a world away, the scene outside the White House was one of pure jubilation.

Hundreds reveled through the night, chanting “USA! USA!” Others chanted “Hey, hey, hey, goodbye!” in reference to the demise of bin Laden. Many also spontaneously sang the national anthem.

In New York, a cheering crowd gathered at ground zero — the site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood. Strains of “God Bless America” could be heard intermittently trickling through the crowd.

Teena Marie Dies Aged 54

Via CNN:

(CNN) — Teena Marie, a celebrated R&B singer-songwriter, was found dead Sunday at her California home, her manager said.

Born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, California, the 54-year-old artist famously paired with late funk legend Rick James and was nominated four times for a Grammy Award, according to her official website.

Marie was found dead by her daughter after apparently dying in her sleep, manager Mike Gardner said.

“Teena was a black voice trapped in a white body,” said Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One, a broadcasting company that targets African-American and urban listeners. “I would always tell her that she was one of the greatest vocalists of our time.”

Among her songs were “Lovergirl,” “Portuguese Love,” “Ooo La La La,” and “I’m a Sucker for Your Love.”

While no cause of death has been released, the singer’s publicist Lynn Jeter said that Marie suffered a grand mal seizure — a neurological event, marked by loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions, according to the Mayo Clinic — a month ago.
“Luckily, someone was there,” Jeter said of that seizure. “The ambulance took her to the hospital, and on the way she had another seizure.”

The publicist said that she had a “great” conversation on Saturday with Marie, who told her that she was excited about heading to Atlanta to perform this week — in what would have been her first performance since the seizure.

Marie sang under various record labels, including Motown, Epic, Stax Records and Cash Money Classics, since bursting on the scene as a 19-year-old, according to her website. Her last studio album, Congo Square, featured several collaborations.

“The enduring influence of Teena’s inspirational, trailblazing career, could only have been made possible through her brilliant song-writing, showmanship and high energy passion which laid the ground work for the future generations of R&B, hip-hop, and soul,” said Gene Rumsey, chief label officer with Concord Music Group. “We feel extremely fortunate to have worked with a visionary who changed music in indelible ways.”

Eddie Levert, founder of the vocal group The O’Jays, praised Marie as both a singer and mother.

“There are a lot of black people who swore by her and believed in her, as far as her music was concerned,” he said. “She was a good mom, and to me, that is saying a lot.”

Undeniably a great loss to R&B, our thoughts and prayers are especially with Marie’s family during this difficult time; 54 is just too young. Sad.

Teena Marie we salute you.

Breaking News: Jay Electronica Signs to Roc Nation!!

Congrats to Jay Electronica, one of the dopest producers in the game.