Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Five Shot Near Virginia State University; One Critical
Early Saturday morning, a scary thing happened at Virginia State University, a big school in Virginia.
Some people fired guns near the student dormitories called the Quad Annexes, and five people got hurt.
Police arrived very quickly, around 1:30 in the morning, and took the hurt people to hospitals.
One of the hurt people is in critical condition, which means they are very seriously injured, while the other four should be okay.
The school told everyone to stay inside and locked down the campus to keep students safe.
Police believe more than one person did this, and they are still looking for who is responsible.
Nobody has been arrested yet, and police have not said why the shooting happened.
The lockdown was lifted a few hours later, around 8 or 9 in the morning, but many officers stayed on campus.
This happened just before fall classes were supposed to start on Monday, and many new students had just finished a welcome program.
Police are asking anyone with information to help them figure out what happened, and leaders say their thoughts are with the victims.
Five people were shot near Virginia State University's Quad Annexes residence halls early Saturday, prompting a campus lockdown.
Police responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at about 1:28 a.m. and found five people with gunshot wounds.
One victim is in critical condition; the other four have non-life-threatening injuries, and the confirmed student was released from a hospital.
The shooting involved multiple suspects and was not a drive-by; no arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions were released.
The lockdown was lifted around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., though a significant law enforcement presence remains days before fall classes begin Monday.
- Who
- Five unidentified victims, at least one a Virginia State University student; Chesterfield County Police and VSU Police are leading the investigation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office assisting.
- What
- A shooting outside campus residence halls near the Quad Annexes left five people with gunshot wounds and prompted a temporary campus lockdown.
- When
- Early Saturday, August 15, 2026; police responded around 1:28 a.m.
- Where
- The 3300 block of Boisseau Street near the Quad Annexes at Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia.
- Why
- The motive and circumstances remain unclear and are under investigation; no arrests have been made.
Community Safety Concerns
Law Enforcement Response
Public Information
Community Safety Concerns
The university and police gave limited details and asked the public to avoid the area, promising updates later in the day, leaving students and families seeking answers.
Law Enforcement Response
Authorities withheld suspect descriptions and the motive to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, and said there was no immediate threat to the campus community.
Campus Security
Community Safety Concerns
The shooting near dormitories just as new students finished welcome events and before classes begin raises safety concerns and casts a shadow over the start of the academic year, heartbreaking for the community.
Law Enforcement Response
A significant law enforcement presence, a campus lockdown, and multi-agency assistance secured the area before the lockdown was lifted, and officials said student safety remains the highest priority.
- Location
- Quad Annexes near Boisseau Street and Third Avenue, Virginia State University, Ettrick, Virginia
- Victims
- Five people shot; one in critical condition, four with non-life-threatening injuries
- Student Victim
- Confirmed student suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was released from a hospital
- Response Time
- Police called to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at about 1:28 a.m.
- Lockdown
- Implemented early Saturday; lifted around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Suspects
- Multiple suspects reported; none identified, no arrests announced, and the incident was not a drive-by
- Investigating Agencies
- Virginia State University Police and Chesterfield County Police, with ATF and Hanover County Sheriff's Office assisting
- Academic Calendar
- Residence halls opened a week earlier; classes begin Monday; incoming students completed the 'New Trojans Experience'
Sources
Virginia State University shooting: 5 injured, campus lockdown lifted
Shooting at Virginia State University, several injured; campus on lockdown: Police
5 Shot At Virginia State University, 1 Critical As Police Probe Multiple Shooters
At least one student among 5 people shot at Virginia State University
Virginia State University shooting: Multiple people injured, campus on lockdown
