Virginia State University was placed on lockdown early Saturday morning after a shooting incident left five people wounded and required hospitalization. The gunfire erupted around 1:30 a.m. near the Quad Annexes on the Chesterfield County campus, according to reports citing the Chesterfield County Police Department.
Authorities believe multiple gunmen were involved in the incident. Five individuals were transported to area hospitals, with one listed in critical condition. VSU police issued a statement urging the campus community to avoid the affected area and adhere to law enforcement directives.
The Virginia State University Police and Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation into the shooting. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also providing assistance. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made, and further details surrounding the events have not yet been released.
The shooting occurred the morning after the university welcomed approximately 1,500 freshmen on Friday evening during an event that featured a speech by former NFL MVP Cam Newton. Virginia State University is a historically black university located about 24 miles south of Richmond.
Classes at the university are scheduled to resume on Monday.