Five Shot Near Virginia State University Dorms; One Victim in Critical Condition

ETTRICK, Va: Five people were shot early Saturday morning near the residence halls at Virginia State University, leaving one victim in critical condition and prompting a temporary lockdown of the campus as authorities searched for multiple suspects.

Virginia State University Police and Chesterfield County authorities said officers responded around 1:28 a.m. Saturday to a report of a shooting in the Quad Annexes area near Boisseau Street and Third Avenue. When they arrived, they found five people with gunshot wounds outside the university's residence halls.

All five victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. One, who initially suffered life-threatening injuries, was later reported to be in critical condition. The other four sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to local authorities and university officials.

Virginia State University said the shooting involved multiple suspects. As of the latest available updates, authorities had not publicly released suspect descriptions or announced any arrests. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and a possible motive remained under investigation.

Virginia State University Police and Chesterfield County Police are investigating, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

The shooting prompted university officials to place the campus under lockdown while law enforcement responded to and investigated the scene. VSU Police Chief David Bragg announced at approximately 8:20 a.m. that the lockdown had been lifted, although a significant law enforcement presence remained on campus. University officials said investigators would continue processing the scene and urged students and members of the university community to avoid the immediate area and follow police instructions.

The shooting came just days before the start of Virginia State University's Fall 2026 semester, which is scheduled to begin August 17.

Virginia State University is a historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. The Associated Press reports that the university has roughly 5,700 students.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators. Chesterfield County Police can be reached at 804-748-1251, and Crime Solvers can be reached at 804-748-0660. Tips may also be submitted through the P3 app. Virginia State University Police can be reached at 804-524-5411.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspects or announced a motive.