A lone shooter was responsible for eight deaths Tuesday, and more than 100 law enforcement officials had him encircled last night in woods where they believe he is hiding, state police said. It was unclear what sparked the violence. The gunman also fired at a sheriff's deputy and a state police helicopter, which had to land with a ruptured fuel tank, said police spokeswoman Corrine Geller. No police were injured. The violence began shortly after noon when an injured man was found on a rural stretch of road. A deputy who went to investigate fled after he heard shots, Geller said. Police were still trying to determine the suspect's relationship with the victims. Residents were told to remain inside, and a small Christian school was locked down until state police could escort about 60 children from the building. Appomattox, about 100 miles southwest of Richmond, is best known as the place where Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, essentially ending the Civil War.