A shooting involving multiple suspects occurred at Virginia State University, resulting in five individuals being shot and prompting a campus lockdown early on Saturday. The incident took place near the university’s Quad Annexes, with both campus police and Chesterfield County police actively conducting investigations. Upon arrival, county police found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside dormitories on campus. The victims were promptly taken to hospitals, with one individual initially in critical condition now upgraded to critical condition, while the others sustained non-life-threatening injuries, as per county police reports.
The university released a statement indicating the involvement of “multiple suspects” in the shooting and advised individuals to steer clear of the immediate area. The statement emphasized ongoing investigations by both VSU Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department, urging the campus community to heed law enforcement directives and avoid the vicinity.
In response to the incident, there was a significant law enforcement presence at the campus on Saturday morning, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office providing support, as per county police sources. Virginia State Police referred inquiries to local authorities who are spearheading the investigation. County police and campus officials assured that further details would follow later in the day.
Virginia State University, a historically Black institution situated in Ettrick, Va., caters to around 5,700 students and holds the distinction of being the first fully state-supported college for Black Americans. The majority of its student body comprises undergraduates. The shooting occurred shortly before the commencement of the academic year at Virginia State, coinciding with the recent opening of residence halls for students a week prior, with classes scheduled to begin on Monday. Many students had just completed the university’s orientation program, the “New Trojans Experience,” designed for incoming students.
