Ettrick, VA — Five people were shot early Saturday near dormitories at Virginia State University, prompting a campus lockdown and a large law enforcement response.
Chesterfield County police said officers responding to the area near the university’s Quad Annexes found five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside campus dormitories.
All five victims were transported to hospitals. Police said one victim, initially reported with life-threatening injuries, was later listed in critical condition. The other four sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Virginia State University said the shooting involved multiple suspects and instructed the campus community to avoid the area and follow directions from law enforcement.
Virginia State University Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department are investigating, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting comes just before the beginning of the academic year. Classes at Virginia State University are scheduled to begin Monday.
Authorities said additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.