CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds, a Democrat who rose to be gubernatorial nominee in 2009 despite his reserved demeanor and humble farmland roots, was stabbed early Tuesday, apparently by his son, police said.
Gus Deeds, 24, was found at his father's house in rural western Virginia, dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.
Authorities were still piecing together a motive and the circumstances that led up to the stabbing, but "we're leaning towards it being an attempted murder/suicide," Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corrine Geller said at an afternoon news conference. She said that finding wasn't yet definitive.
Creigh Deeds, 55, and his son were the only people at the home Tuesday morning. Police were not looking for a suspect.
Deeds was able to walk about 75 yards away from his home in Millboro, despite stab wounds in his head and chest, police said. He was in fair condition at a hospital.
Police recovered a gun at the home, but Geller would not provide details about it. She also wouldn't say what the senator was stabbed with.
She said police have been able to talk with the senator, but wouldn't reveal what he has said.