Five injured in shooting at Virginia State University

Five people were injured in a shooting at Virginia State University early Saturday involving multiple suspects, prompting a campus lockdown that lasted several hours.

Officers responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street, near the university's Quad Annexes, at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time. Campus police and Chesterfield County officers found five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds outside university residence halls. All five were transported to local hospitals.

One victim was initially listed as having life-threatening injuries but was later upgraded to critical condition, according to Chesterfield County police. The four other victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

The university issued a statement identifying the incident as involving "multiple suspects" and asked people to avoid the immediate area. A campus lockdown was implemented and remained in effect until approximately 9 a.m., when it was lifted.

"A significant law enforcement presence remains on campus as the investigation into this morning's shooting continues," the university said after the lockdown was lifted.

As of Saturday afternoon, police had not announced any arrests. The Chesterfield County Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from Virginia State University police, the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Virginia State University, a historically Black university located approximately 20 miles south of Richmond, has about 5,000 to 5,100 students enrolled. Residence halls opened a week prior to the shooting, and fall-semester classes are scheduled to begin Monday.