Virginia legislator in critical condition after home assault
Updated 11:26 a.m. ET, 11/19/13
(CNN) - Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds was hospitalized for "serious injuries" after an assault Tuesday morning at his house in Bath County, where a second individual was found dead, Virginia state police said.
Deeds was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, where he remains in critical condition, according to spokesperson Angela Taylor.
Taylor could not provide additional details.
Deeds ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for governor against Republican Bob McDonnell in 2009 and as the Democratic nominee for Attorney General–also against McDonnell–in 2005. He narrowly lost the latter race in a recount.
McDonnell released a statement calling the news "heartbreaking."
"In this tough and sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Deeds family. The news from this morning is utterly heartbreaking," he said. "Creigh Deeds is an exceptional and committed public servant who has always done what he believes is best for Virginia and who gives his all to public service. He cares deeply about Virginia, and the people of Virginia care deeply for him."
Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe, who won this month's gubernatorial contest, also released a statement.
"Dorothy and I are praying for Senator Creigh Deeds and his family in the wake of this awful tragedy," the Democrat said. "This is a truly sad day for Virginia and for the many people who know Creigh as the fine public servant and friend he is. We join people across the Commonwealth and country in wishing him a full recovery."
Other lawmakers from Virginia reacted on Twitter.
Son was the body that was found, by self-inflicted wounds
FoxNews has much more detail about the story
Someone here said that this was a bad tragedy... I have yet to see/hear of a good one?
Keith (and others)....check the local news. It was his son who was shot and killed. I'm at the Univ. of Va. The hospital is on lockdown with police guards, which sounds to me like they believe it to be political.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch says Deeds’ son, Gus, was found dead from a gunshot wound inside the home and the senator was stabbed. The paper says Deeds is in critical condition.
Keith
So who was killed? His son from the picture? A hooker? Maybe you should go a little deeper into that...that fact seems to be brushed aside.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Or maybe they should wait for all the facts to come out before releasing information that turns out to be incorrect – the D.C. Navy Yard shootings of a few months ago being a prime example.
Stabbed by son who turned gun on himself.
terrible, shocking, disgusting. Hang in there senator, you can arise from the ashes.
This news is too heartbreaking for the victim's family, my thoughts and prayers are offered...
It is disgusting to see mudslinging by some of the posters on here. The man was assaulted, and someone has died. All you care about is Obamacare arguements? Typical ignorance from some of you people. Stop the hate.
get well soon senator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds was stabbed by his son, Austin "Gus" Deeds, before the son fatally shot himself, Democratic sources tell News4.
Gus Deeds died at the scene, and Creigh Deeds is in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, the sources said.
Truly sad. A very good man. if all Dems and Repubs were of this caliber, things would be better for all of us. All the best to him and his family
Local media confirmed that the "second individual" was his son, who suffered a gunshot wound.
It seems that fact-checking and basic reporting skills take a back seat to sensationalism and painting this guy as a noble political saint come before any relevant information.
Apparently it was his son!
Sounds like the son did it
Actually it was his son who was killed in the home, but it's not what you think. His son Gus stabbed him, and then took his own life. What a horrible situation.
Son stabbed father and then son killed himself with shotgun.
@sonkarlay
The monster was his son (who shot himself after stabbing him)
Why don't you stop praying and do something that might actually have a measurable effect.
son stabbed father and son turned gun on himself.
Reported elsewhere, his son stabbed him then shot himself.
Local media here in Virginia are reporting that his son is the deceased, and that he committed suicide after the attack. Really sorry to read about this. Deeds is a very nice man, met him while he was stumping for governor, and this is just a terrible family tragedy. I hope he pulls through.
Iniital reports say Gus stabbed his father and then shot himself. Very sad. Prayers for the family.