Five injured, one critically, in shooting at Virginia State University

What the report says

Five people were injured, including one person who was critically hurt, in a shooting at Virginia State University in the early hours of Saturday, according to BBC World News. The university said multiple suspects were involved. Officers responded around 01:28 local time outside residence halls, and the wounded were taken to local hospitals.

BBC reported that four of the injured had wounds that were not considered life-threatening. It was not immediately clear whether any suspects had been arrested. The university said a temporary lockdown on campus was later lifted, though a significant law enforcement presence remained in the area.

Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation with support from other local agencies and campus police, the university said. Virginia State University is located just south of Richmond, Virginia, and has about 5,000 students. It is one of the country’s historically Black colleges and universities, which were established to expand access to higher education for African Americans.

The incident came as the university was preparing for the start of the new term, with classes due to begin on Monday and dormitories opened for returning students on Friday. The shooting underscores continuing concerns about gun violence on U.S. campuses and the broader risks facing students and staff.