Multiple suspects open fire near Virginia State University, five injured

A shooting near the Quad Annexes of Virginia State University injured five individuals early Saturday, leading campus officials to lock down the area. Officers from the university police and Chesterfield County responded to reports of gunfire and found the victims outside dormitories. All five were taken to hospitals; one remains in critical condition while the others have non-life-threatening injuries.

The university said the incident involved “multiple suspects” and urged people to stay away from the scene. > "VSU Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department are actively investigating," the statement read, adding that the campus community should follow law-enforcement instructions.

A substantial law-enforcement presence, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, assisted local police. Virginia State Police deferred to local authorities, who are leading the investigation and expect to release further details later in the day.

Virginia State University, a historically Black institution with about 5,700 students, was preparing for the start of the academic year, with residence halls opened a week ago and classes slated to begin on Monday.