A shooting involving multiple suspects left five people injured at Virginia State University early Saturday, leading to a campus lockdown and a broad law enforcement investigation. The incident occurred near the university's Quad Annexes, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside campus dormitories. Officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The lockdown was lifted around 9 a.m. the same day, according to county police.
Four of the injured sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while one person initially reported in life-threatening condition is now in critical condition. All five were transported to local hospitals. The university confirmed that the shooting involved "multiple suspects" and urged people to avoid the immediate area Saturday morning.
A significant law enforcement presence remained on campus as the investigation continued. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office were assisting Chesterfield County police.
Virginia State University, a historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, is preparing for the start of its academic year. Residence halls opened last week, and classes were scheduled to begin on Monday. The university had recently concluded its orientation program for incoming students.
Arthur Fridrich, the university's former director of distance education who lives near campus, described the shooting as heartbreaking for the community, especially as students return for the new academic year. He noted that such an event casts a shadow over the minds of students starting their studies.