Police believe Virginia senator was stabbed by son

photo In a Sept. 25, 2009, photo, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds spends time with his son Gus, left, on the road to Halifax, Va., between campaign events. Virginia State Police confirmed today that Creigh Deeds was stabbed multiple times and his son Gus, 24, was shot and killed at Deeds' Home in Bath County, Va., during morning assault today.

By STEVE SZKOTAK

Associated Press

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Police say early indications are that the son of a state senator in Virginia stabbed his father before shooting himself to death.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corrine Geller said this afternoon at a news conference that authorities are still investigating the stabbing of Sen. Creigh Deeds, but it appears it was an attempted murder and suicide.

Deeds' 24-year-old son, Gus, died at the home of a gunshot wound. Geller says the senator and his son were the only people at the home this morning.

A hospital spokeswoman says Deeds' condition has improved to fair. He was previously listed in critical.

Deeds was the Democratic candidate for governor in 2009 and lost to current Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell.

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