5 shot at Virginia State University as police investigate multiple suspects

Five individuals were shot at Virginia State University early Saturday, resulting in a campus lockdown and an ongoing police investigation, as the new academic year commenced. The incident occurred near the Quad Annexes, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers found five people with gunshot wounds outside dormitories. Police arrived shortly before 1:30am, and the lockdown was lifted around 9am, according to county police.

The university's website indicates that residence halls had been open for students for a week prior, and classes were set to begin on Monday. Incoming students had just finished the "New Trojans Experience" program. However, university officials have not disclosed the identities of the victims or determined if they are affiliated with the university.

All five victims were transported to hospitals, with one initially reported as having life-threatening injuries now upgraded to critical condition. The remaining four suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police stated. The university issued a statement attributing the shooting to "multiple suspects" and urged the public to avoid the area on Saturday morning. No further details about the suspects or their potential connections to the university were provided.