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Suspect kills 2, wounds 4 in dispute over property rights

By the CNN Wire Staff
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Three dead in Virginia shooting
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • The man was killed by sheriff's deputies after turning his gun and a dog on them
  • No deputies were injured in the shooting
  • The conditions of most of the wounded victims are not known
  • The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in Louisa, Virginia

(CNN) -- Three people were killed Sunday and four others were injured in a shooting outside a residence in the central Virginia town of Louisa, according to Sgt. Thomas Molnar of the Virginia State Police.

The incident began early in the afternoon when deputies responded to the home after an argument began over what Molnar described as a "property-rights" issue. Believing the situation had been resolved, the deputies left the home.

Shortly before 5 p.m. ET, authorities received another call about an active shooting at the residence, said Maj. Donnie Lowe of the Louisa County Sheriff's Office.

When police arrived, a male suspect was shooting at people in the front yard.

Two people were killed and four others were wounded, said Molnar.

The suspect then directed his gunfire at police and released a pit bull terrier on them.

Deputies shot and killed both the suspect and the dog, Lowe said. No deputies were injured in the shooting.

The four injured victims were taken to the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, one with life-threatening injuries, Molnar said. He did not know the status of the other victims.

Officials did not release the identities of the suspect or the victims. Authorities were still working to determine the relationship between the shooter and the victims, Lowe said.

CNN's Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.