Three people died and three others were injured during the shooting in Spotsylvania, Virginia, about 60 miles south of Washington, DC, said a sheriff on Tuesday night.
No suspect has been identified, and no one is in custody, authorities said.
The incident was still characterized as an “active shooter situation” on Tuesday night, said major Elizabeth Scott, from the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s office, at a press conference.
“At this time, I don’t know if we have suspects in custody, so we are asking the public to stay away from the area, that the researchers do their job,” said the oldest.
Residents near the shooting must remain inside, he added.
Public schools in the nearby Fredericksburg are scheduled to open two hours of delay on Wednesday to allow preparations that will allow staff to provide “attention and support … During this difficult time,” said the city’s school district in a statement.
Scott said it was not clear if two or three people who were seen to be questioned were suspicious.
“This is as bad as it can be with six people shot at this time,” said Scott.
The victims were hospitalized in unknown conditions, and their ages were not available, said Sheriff Roger L. Harris in a statement.
“Upon arrival, the agents found multiple subjects shot,” he said. “No suspect has been stopped at this time.”
The violence was reported around 5:30 pm in the Old Greenwich Circle area in Spotsylvania, Harris said, the Sheriff. That is about 56 miles south of Washington.
Scott said the investigators at the scene, the Virginia State Police and the close police of Fredericksburg were trying to discover what happened.
“Multiple researchers are still trying to determine who the suspects were and what the reason is,” he said.
