Multiple shooters wound five people at Virginia State University, prompting lockdown

A shooting involving several suspects near the Quad Annexes at Virginia State University resulted in five people being shot early Saturday, prompting authorities to lock down the campus. Officers from Chesterfield County police found the victims outside dormitory buildings and transported them to local hospitals; one victim’s condition was later upgraded to critical while the others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The university confirmed that multiple suspects were involved and urged the campus community to avoid the area and follow law-enforcement directions. > "VSU Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department are actively investigating," the statement read, adding that the community should continue to avoid the area and comply with 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 said further details would be released later in the day. The incident occurred just before the start of the academic year, with residence halls having opened a week earlier and classes slated to begin on Monday.