ETTRICK, VA — Students and parents at Virginia State University are raising questions about campus security after a weekend shooting near student housing left five people injured just as the university community was preparing for the start of a new academic year.
The shooting happened early Saturday near residence halls on the VSU campus. Five people were wounded, including one Virginia State University student. The other four victims were not enrolled at the university and ranged in age from 17 to 23.
The incident temporarily placed the university under lockdown and brought a large law enforcement response to campus. Although the immediate lockdown was eventually lifted, the shooting has left some students and families concerned about how people who are not students gain access to the campus and what additional measures could be taken to prevent similar incidents.
Parents Question Campus Access
For families sending students back to Virginia State, the timing of the shooting has made security a major topic of conversation.
Some parents told 13News Now that they want to see stronger protections surrounding residence halls and other areas where students live and gather. Questions surrounding visitor access and identifying who belongs on campus have become especially important because most of the people involved in Saturday’s shooting were not VSU students.
Students have also expressed concerns about feeling secure while walking around campus, particularly at night.
The shooting occurred during a busy period for VSU, as students were returning to campus and preparing for the beginning of classes.
Calls for Additional Security Measures
The incident has renewed discussion about what universities can do to strengthen campus safety without making students feel disconnected from the college environment.
Among the concerns being raised are whether additional security personnel, stronger visitor policies, improved monitoring around residence halls and other preventative measures could help reduce the chances of another violent incident.
The shooting has also attracted attention beyond the university community, with Virginia officials and lawmakers responding to the violence and the broader concerns surrounding safety at VSU.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities previously announced the arrest of a 19-year-old man in connection with the incident, but investigators have continued working to determine whether additional people were involved.
As that investigation moves forward, the university is also facing the challenge of reassuring students and families that campus remains a safe place to live, learn and attend classes.
For many VSU families, the conversation is now focused not only on what happened Saturday, but also on what changes could be made to prevent another shooting from happening on campus.
The incident has placed campus security at the center of attention as Virginia State University begins its new academic year, with students and parents looking to university leadership for answers about what comes next.
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