UPDATE: Students unsettled by shooting after VSU event, 'who’s a suspect, who’s a shooter' (2024)

Virginia State University was on lockdown early Wednesday morning after a shooting on campus left four people injured, school officials said.

Chesterfield County police said officers responded to the 200 block ofBoisseau Street near the school's gymnasium at around 12:36 a.m. Wednesday for the reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers found four people who had been shot.

The victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment for injuries that are not considered life-threatening, police said. None of the victims are currently enrolled as VSU students.

Police said investigators have identified multiple suspects and charges in connection with the incident are pending. There is no ongoing threat to the university.

The shooting comes as the university prepares for the school year. Multiple opening and orientation events are scheduled for this week, and classes are set to begin Monday, according to a school calendar.

Students react to shooting

VSU students told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the university was holding a welcome week social at Virginia Hall. Afterwards, a large crowd gathered in the lot where the shooting occurred.

Amiyah Ponton, a first-year student at VSU, was not present when shots were fired, but said she received an alert from the university.

“I was already safe in my dorm, thank God,” Ponton said. “There was already a big crowd where it occurred at, and I already knew ‘something’s going down.’”

Ponton said the university should place more of a priority on keeping weapons away from campus.

“It’s just very unfortunate,” Ponton said. “Just the fact that people were still able to have those types of weapons and stuff on campus despite the fact that they’re saying no weapons.”

Karen Jones, 55, is a commuter student studying economics with the hope of winning a government job after she graduates.

Jones said she didn’t know of the shooting until she passed by caution tape on Boisseau Street.

“If you hadn’t asked me, I wouldn’t have known,” said Jones.

Jaylen Culley and his twin brother said the two were in their dorm room when they were notified of the shooting Tuesday night.

Culley said that welcome week has seen parties spill out onto the public parking lot where the shooting occurred.

“There was a welcome week party that was cancelled, and then they came out to the courts, that’s been happening every night,” said Culley. “It’s just crazy that someone would do something like this.”

Kaniya James, a freshman studying biology who hopes to become a nurse, said the shooting made her nervous.

As she walked by, she said she wished there were more police on campus, and felt uncomfortable not knowing if the danger had passed.

“It’s just weird that you don’t know whose who, who’s a suspect, who’s a shooter,” said James.

3rd shooting in 3 years

The shooting remains under investigation by Chesterfield police with assistance from VSU police. Anyone with information is asked to callChesterfield police at 804-748-1251 or contact Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or through the P3 app.

Wednesday's shooting marked the third such event on VSU campus in as many years.