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Vol. 37, No. 43 | Richmond Suburban News | February 9, 2022
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Bridgewater College officers killed in shooting
Photo courtesy of Bridgewater College
Fallen heroes: Police Officer John Painter and Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson.
By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
A
n Ashland man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting of two Bridgewater College officers last week at the college.
The officers, who have now been identified as Campus Police Officer John Painter, 55, and Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson, 48, were fatally shot by an armed suspect on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Alexander Wyatt Campbell, 27, a former Bridgewater College and Patrick Henry High
School student whose last known address was in Ashland, was identified as a suspect and arrested the same day in connection with the case. He has been charged with one felony count of aggravated murder of a police officer, one felony count of first degree murder, one felony count of aggravated murder of multiple persons within three years, one felony count of aggravated murder of multiple persons and one felony count of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Campbell is currently being held without bond at Rockingham County Jail. According to Virginia State Police, the incident began at approximately 1:20 p.m. when the two officers responded to a call for a suspicious adult male located on campus. Following a brief interaction, the man opened fire and shot both officers before fleeing the scene, state police said. The Bridgewater College Police Department, Town of Bridgewater Police Department, Virginia State Police, Rockingham County Sheriff 's Office, see BRIDGEWATER, pg. 3
New Habitat for Humanity ReStore set to open in March By Christina Amano Dolan Editor MECHANICSVILLE – The Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity ReStore and offices are moving to a new location in Mechanicsville this month, transitioning from their current location in Atlee to the Cold Harbor Business Center. The new ReStore will be larger than its previous location to accommodate more inven-
tory and provide easier browsing for customers. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center. The store sells community donations of new or gentlyused items at a discounted price, such as furniture, appliances, home accessories and building materials. Everything Google maps photo courtesy of Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity is donated by either community mem- Shown is the new location of the Hanover and King William bers or local businesses. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which will be located at the Cold see RESTORE, pg. 4
Harbor Business Center. The new store is set to open in March.
Christina Amano Dolan/The Local
Dr. Nekki Soltanian of Glowing Smiles Dentistry with family members and friends who volunteered their services for the “Give Kids A Smile” event.
‘Give Kids A Smile’ day: Local dentist offers free dental care to children By Christina Amano Dolan Editor MECHANICSVILLE – A Mechanicsville dentist’s office recently joined other Virginia Dental Association members across the state in celebrating February as Children’s Health Month by hosting its own “Give Kids a Smile” event to offer free dental care for local children. Glowing Smiles Dentistry, located at 9097 Atlee Station Road in Mechanicsville, hosted the free event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 5. The event’s theme this year was “Candyland,” with staff wearing customized T-shirts and every room adorned with fun decorations for the children’s enjoyment. Children under the age of 14 received see SMILE, pg. 14
