Law enforcement officials are investigating a shooting that injured five people at Virginia State University, located south of Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday morning. One individual remains in critical condition after police discovered five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds outside the university's residence halls. The police responded to an emergency call at 1:28 a.m. on Saturday, just two days before the start of the university's fall semester.
Virginia State University, one of five historically black colleges and universities in Virginia, was placed on lockdown until approximately 8:20 a.m. as a result of the incident. The university stated that the shooting involved multiple suspects and remains under investigation, with a significant police presence still on campus.
Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation, assisted by university police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. All injured individuals were hospitalized; four sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting occurred near the University’s Quad Annexes, close to Boisseau Street and Third Avenue.
Virginia State University, founded in 1882, has a student population of about 5,000 and features 11 residence halls. Residence halls opened to returning students on Friday and to new students last weekend.