Shooting at Virginia State University: five injured

Five people were injured in a multiple-attacker shooting that occurred overnight at Virginia State University, in the United States. One is in critical condition, the other four suffered non-lethal injuries. The events occurred around 1.30am on Saturday outside a university residence, causing the temporary lockdown of the campus. Investigations are underway to identify those responsible

Five people were injured in a multiple-attacker shooting that occurred overnight at Virginia State University, in the United States. One is in critical condition, while the other four suffered non-lethal injuries. The episode, which caused the temporary lockdown of the campus, occurred around 1.30am on Saturday, 7.30am in Italy, outside a university residence. Investigations are underway to reconstruct the dynamics and identify those responsible.

The dynamics

According to what was reported by the university, when the officers arrived, five people were found shot, then transported to area hospitals for treatment. Both campus police and local law enforcement are investigating the matter. “A significant law enforcement presence remains on campus” as the investigation continues, university officials said. It was not immediately clear whether any arrests had been made.

The university

Virginia State University is a public university historically attended by African-American students, located in Ettrick, Virginia, approximately 24 miles south of Richmond, the state capital. It has approximately 5,700 students and was the first fully state-funded four-year college for the African-American community. The student residences opened a week ago and classes are scheduled to start on Monday: many students had just finished the "New Trojans Experience", the orientation program for freshmen.