A shooting incident involving multiple suspects left five people injured at Virginia State University, prompting a campus lockdown that was lifted hours later. The incident occurred near the university's Quad Annexes, where campus and Chesterfield County police discovered five individuals with gunshot wounds outside campus dormitories. Officers responded to the scene just before 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Authorities transported the five injured individuals to local hospitals. One person, initially reported in life-threatening condition, has since been upgraded to critical. The remaining four sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The university released a statement confirming the shooting involved "multiple suspects" and advised people to avoid the area during the initial response. A significant law enforcement presence remained on campus following the lifting of the lockdown around 9 a.m. as the investigation continued.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office were assisting Chesterfield County Police in the investigation. Virginia State Police deferred inquiries to local authorities leading the probe, with further information expected later in the day.
Virginia State University, a historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, has an enrollment of approximately 5,700 students, primarily undergraduates. The shooting occurred just prior to the start of the academic year. Residence halls opened for students a week prior, and classes were scheduled to begin on Monday, following orientation activities for incoming students.