Updated Aug. 15, 2026, 1:31 p.m. ET
Five people were shot at Virginia State University, with one in critical condition, after an early morning incident outside campus dorms on Saturday, Aug. 15, according to a university post on X. Officials say a campus lockdown was lifted as of 8:22 a.m.
“Officers responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at approximately 1:29 a.m. and discovered five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds outside VSU resident halls,” officials said in the post.
The other four victims – one has been confirmed as a VSU student – sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, according to the university. The student has been released from the hospital, the university officials said in a 12:53 p.m. ET update posted on X.
The Chesterfield County Police Department is leading the investigation, and officials ask that members of the campus community avoid the area, according to the university post. VSU university police, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation.
An initial 5:56 a.m. ET post stated that, “At this time, none of the injuries appear to be life threatening,” and referred to “multiple suspects.”
Chesterfield County police had no suspects in custody just before 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Lt. James Lamb told USA TODAY.
Virginia State Univ. student describes scene early Saturday
Julia Lewis, a freshman from Ohio, described a chaotic scene at the university dorms after the shooting and said she heard multiple gunshots.
“I was falling asleep and woke up and all you could hear was a whole bunch of bullets,” Lewis told the Petersburg (Virginia) Progress-Index, “and I’d never heard bullets that close before.
“I opened my window, and all you could see is police and people running. There were people running for like a good minute.”
Virginia State University is a public HBCU just south of the Virginia state capital of Richmond. The fall 2026 semester is set to begin on Monday, Aug. 17, according to the university’s online calendar.
VSU police will maintain an increased presence on campus as the investigation continues, the university said in its update.
“We recognize the concern this incident has caused among our students, parents, alumni, friends, and the broader VSU community. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” the statement continued. “Students should monitor their VSU email for additional safety measures currently in effect and information about available support services.”
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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