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Homecoming week turns violent at VSU

Posted at 6:28 PM, Oct 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-16 23:52:28-04

PETERSBURG, Va. (WTVR) -- Homecoming week at Virginia State University took a violent turn after a fight and stabbing on Wednesday evening, according to police.

VSU University Relations told CBS 6 News' Chelsea Rarrick that a male suffered minor injuries after being stabbed near the football field. After the melee, several other fights broke out. Officials say that his injuries seem non-life threatening.  They can not confirm at this time if the male is a student.

VSU police, Chesterfield police and Virginia State Police were all on the scene, but no one was detained and there has been no word on a suspect. Officials said they will be reviewing security camera footage. Additionally, officials said that they have been given an video filmed by a bystander.

Officials confirmed that the school will likely remain on lockdown until Thursday morning. On-campus students being asked not to leave their dorms. The situation will be reassessed in the morning.

VSU lockdown (PHOTO: Chelsea Rarrick)

VSU lockdown (PHOTO: Chelsea Rarrick)

CBS 6 initially reported that the campus was on lockdown but according to Tom Reed, director of public relations and marketing, there was no current lockdown.

However, students and officials later confirmed there was a lockdown, and that university officials had communicated that through an alert.

"Due to an emergency on campus we are requesting that all buildings be locked down and all persons remain inside until further notice," the alert to students said, sent at 6:48 p.m. Then a phone call came in from the RAVE alert system, and then an email was sent.

"This is not what Virginia State is about, this is a very family-oriented school and we just want to have a good time in our homecoming," a student told CBS 6.