Beacher Ferrel Hackney, an employee of the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, who allegedly shot and killed two of his co-workers Saturday night, is still absconding! Authorities in Virginia are on their toes to trace the man - having pressed into action tracking dogs and a helicopter, and setting up road checkpoints.

According to Bath County Sheriff Larry Norfleet, Hackney killed the two supervisors - Ronnie Stinnett and Dwight Kerr - in the hotel kitchen at around 8 p. m., using a semi-automatic handgun. All three of them worked in a department responsible for washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and picking up trash.

Hotel spokeswoman Carol Stratford said that no one else was injured in the shootings. Stratford added that the guests - who were having dinner in the dining room in close proximity of the kitchen - probably did not hear the shots because of a band that was playing at the time of the incident.

The 483-room hotel, nearly 50 miles north of Roanoke, released a statement saying: "We are devastated by the events that have taken place and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved."

Highland County Sheriff H. R. Lightner, who is part of the search team, said that Hackney has been charged with murder in the deaths.