Police at the scene of two deaths in Potsdam were not revealing much about what happened today

Updated at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10

POTSDAM – A village police officer killed a male Clarkson University student Thursday afternoon in an unsuccessful attempt to save the life of a female stabbing victim.

According to state police, village police officers saw the man on top of a female stabbing her and himself when they entered an apartment at the Swan Landing housing complex off Maple Street at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Police said the officer fired after the male failed to comply with police orders directing him to drop the knife. The officer "discharged his service weapon, striking the assailant and killing him," police said.

The female was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital where she was pronounced deceased, police said.

A body shrouded in white continued to lie in the doorway of a town house in Potsdam late this afternoon at the scene of the suspected domestic that escalated into a stabbing, prompting neighbors to call police.

The scene has been secured and will be processed by the Troop B Forensic Identification Unit, following the issuance of a search warrant, police said

State police are continuing the investigation in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County District Attorney's Office and in cooperation with Potsdam Police Department. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department is also assisting with the investigation.

Police have not yet identified the victims or the officer involved in the shooting.

District Attorney Mary Rain and one of her chief assistants were at the scene, but neither would comment this afternoon.

It was a scene of intense police presence during the afternoon, with officers from the Potsdam police, state police, BCI, the Sheriff’s Department and conservation officers there.

At one point, as many as 15 police vehicles from various local agencies and a Potsdam Rescue Squad ambulance were on the scene.

WWNY-tv is reporting the deceased are two Chinese citizens. Read that story here.