Virginia State University Shooting Leaves Five Injured and Prompts Lockdown

A shooting at Virginia State University early Saturday morning has left five people injured, prompting a campus lockdown that was later lifted. The incident occurred near the university's Quad Annexes, according to a statement from the institution.

According to Chesterfield County police, officers responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street around 1:30 a.m. After reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside campus dormitories. All five victims were transported to nearby hospitals, with one initially listed as having life-threatening injuries later upgraded to critical condition. The other victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The university said in a statement that the shooting involves "multiple suspects." The statement asked people to avoid the immediate area, and the campus community was advised to follow all law enforcement instructions. The lockdown was lifted around 8:20 a.m., and normal access to campus could resume, according to VSU Police Chief David Bragg.

Despite the lockdown being lifted, authorities said there would be a heavier police presence on campus Saturday. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office are assisting with the investigation, along with VSU Police and Chesterfield County police. Police are looking for multiple suspects, but no additional information about the suspects has been released.

Virginia State University is a historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, about 24 miles south of the state capital of Richmond. The public university has about 5,700 students and was the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans. Most of its students are undergraduates. The shootings happened just before the start of the academic year at Virginia State, with residence halls opening for students a week ago and classes set to begin on Monday.

Many students had just completed the university's "New Trojans Experience" for incoming students. The university's Office of Communications and University Relations said the campus community should continue to avoid the area and follow all law enforcement instructions. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact Chesterfield County police at 804-748-1251, Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660, or VSU police at 804-524-5411.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, and officials are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available. As VSU Police Chief David Bragg announced, "Although the lockdown has been lifted, members of the VSU community are asked to remain mindful of the ongoing law enforcement activity and avoid the immediate area where investigators are processing the scene."

Investigation Ongoing

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office are assisting with the investigation, along with VSU Police and Chesterfield County police.

As the investigation continues, more information is expected to be released, and the university will provide updates to students and staff. The shooting at Virginia State University is a developing story, and the community will come together to support those affected by the shooting.