Virginia Sen. Creigh Deeds stabbed, son dead by suicide

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds was grievously stabbed by his son, who then shot himself Tuesday morning.

Austin "Gus" Deeds, 24, stabbed and critically wounded his father around 7 a.m. at their home in Millboro, Bath County, Virginia State Police said in a statement. At a press conference around noon Tuesday, Virginia State police said Sen. Deeds was stabbed multiple times in the head and upper torso.

The former gubernatorial candidate was flown to the University of Virginia medical center in Charlottesville in critical condition.

State police would only say "a second individual at the residence is deceased." Democratic sources said Gus Deeds appears to have shot himself and died at the scene.

"The news from this morning is utterly heartbreaking," said Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who defeated Deeds in 2009. "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."

"When a tragedy falls on somebody's family like this, it's just a cause for great sorrow," McDonnell said. "I urge all Virginians today to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Creigh and for many more years of his public service to the commonwealth. At this moment, our state unites in prayer for Creigh Deeds and his family.”

Deeds, 55, had four children with his first wife, Pamela Kay Miller: Amanda, Rebecca, Gus and Susannah. Deeds and Miller were divorced in 2010, and he married Siobhan Gilbride in 2012.

[Richmond Times-Dispatch] [NBC News4]