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1 killed, 4 injured after shooting at hookah lounge near Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. — One person was killed and four others were injured Friday night after a shooting at a hookah lounge near the Virginia Tech campus, authorities said.

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According to the Blacksburg Police Department, the shooting took place at about 11:53 p.m. EST at the Melody Hookah Lounge, The Roanoke Times reported. In a 2 a.m. statement, police said “multiple individuals were transported from the scene to local hospitals.”

An update from the department at 5:30 a.m. EST stated that five people were injured in the shooting, four were transported to area hospitals and one died.

The identities of the victims have not been released, the Times reported. A motive for the shooting has not been released.

Blacksburg police are calling the incident a homicide investigation, WDBJ-TV reported.

In a statement, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said one of the injured people is a Virginia Tech student.

“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we extend our support to those who were injured,” Sands stated. “Events like this are difficult and unsettling to all of us.”

Virginia Tech sent out a message through its alert system immediately after the shooting, urging recipients to secure in place and remain inside. That warning was lifted at 3:18 a.m. EST, WXFR-TV reported.