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Police ID woman accused of stabbing Reynolds professor

Posted at 3:27 PM, Feb 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-24 07:31:03-05

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A J. Sargeant Reynolds professor was stabbed in his Burnette Hall office at the school's Parham Road campus Thursday afternoon.

The alleged attacker, identified as Brittany L. Burfield, 24 of Glen Allen, used a box cutter to stab the School of Humanities professor, according to Virginia State Police Sgt. Steve Vick.

The 68-year-old male professor suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to VCU Medical Center.

Burfield was apprehended by J. Sargeant Reynolds Police as she was trying to exit the building. She has been charged with one felony count of malicious wounding.

Brittany L. Burfield

Brittany L. Burfield

Joe Schilling, Director of Communications at J. Sargeant Reynolds, said he could not confirm if the suspect is a former student, and also declined to release the professor's name.

The professor has been with the school for 40 years, Schilling confirmed.

Former students told CBS 6 they knew the professor involved, but CBS 6 is withholding his name until officially released by police or the school.

"Everybody I know absolutely loves the guy," Sara Jett, a former student, said.

Jett said she took a class with the professor in 2012. She described him as charming, charismatic, and relatable.

“He was always ‘here's my office hours, if you need me come to me, let me know… send me an email,’” said Jett.

Virginia State Police said the incident was reported at about 12:30 p.m.

Burfield is currently being held at Henrico County Jail-West with no bond.

State Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

This is a developing story. Submit a news tip here.

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