PETERSBURG, VA — Five people were shot outside residence halls at Virginia State University early Saturday, leaving one person critically injured and prompting a campus lockdown that has since been lifted, university officials said.
According to the university, police responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street, near the Quad Annexes, shortly before 1:30 a.m. for a report of a shooting. Officers arrived at the scene and found five people suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims were taken to area hospitals. One was in critical condition Saturday morning, while the other four suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to the university.
University officials said the shooting involved "multiple suspects," but did not provide descriptions.
VSU initially placed the campus on lockdown following the shooting and urged students and others to avoid the area as the investigation continued.
A large law enforcement presence was at the campus on Saturday morning. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office were assisting campus and Chesterfield police with the investigation.
County police and campus officials said more information would be released later in the day.
Virginia State University is a historically Black university located 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. According to the university's website, residence halls opened for students a week ago, and classes are set to begin on Monday. Many students had just completed the university's "New Trojans Experience" for incoming students.
Anyone with information can contact Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251, Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or VSU Police at 804-524-5411.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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