Multiple suspects open fire at Virginia State University, five injured

A shooting involving several suspects occurred near the Quad Annexes at Virginia State University early Saturday, leading campus police to lock down the area. Officers from the university and Chesterfield County discovered five individuals with gunshot wounds outside dormitories and transported them to hospitals. One victim’s condition was later upgraded to critical, while the others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The university issued a statement confirming the involvement of multiple suspects and urged the community to avoid the immediate vicinity and follow law-enforcement instructions.

"VSU Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department are actively investigating," the statement read. "The campus community should continue to avoid the area and follow all law enforcement instructions."

A substantial law-enforcement presence, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, was reported on campus. Virginia State Police deferred to local authorities, who are leading the investigation and said further details would be released later in the day.

Virginia State University, a historically Black institution in Ettrick, Virginia, has about 5,700 students. The incident occurred as the university prepared to begin classes for the new academic year.