By Stephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com

Published: 07:46 EDT, 5 February 2022 | Updated: 17:11 EDT, 5 February 2022

A high school student was killed and another four people were injured during a shooting at a hookah lounge in Virginia, authorities said.

The Blacksburg Police Department said officers responded to reports of shots fired at Melody Hookah Lounge in downtown Blacksburg - just blocks away from Virginia Tech - on Friday just before midnight.

Police did not identify the deceased person or any of the people who were injured in the shooting. Authorities said they were taken to local hospitals, but that their conditions are unknown.

Roanoke City Public Schools wrote in a Facebook post that the deceased is a student at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, about 40 miles east of Blacksburg.

'We are saddened by the death of a member of our Patrick Henry High School family,' the school system wrote in a Facebook post. 'Our thoughts are with all those who are grieving. We understand many in our community may have feelings of grief, loss, anger, or fear and encourage you to reach out for support.' 

No additional information was made available, including details on potential suspects or a motive.

Nearby, Virginia Tech was encouraging students to stay indoors, but that order was lifted three hours after the request was originally made, the university said in a post on Twitter.

Virginia Tech vice president of Student Affairs Frank Shushok Jr. confirmed Saturday afternoon that a student was among the five people shot and that he is recovering in a hospital.

'We have been in contact with his family, and they report their son is out of surgery, recovering, and seems to be doing well,' Sands wrote. 'We continue to respect the privacy of the student, and we are grateful for the outpouring of care and support directed to him.'

The school continued to ask students and residents to avoid going downtown as the investigation continues. 

Police stand by as officers conduct an investigation after a shooting at a business on Main Street in Blacksburg, Va. Saturday

A police officer conducts an investigation after a shooting at a Melody Hookah Lounge

One person is dead and several injured in the shooting

Police vehicles block Main Street after a shooting in Blacksburg

Virginia Tech was the site of one of the biggest campus mass shootings in history in 2007, when a gunman fatally shot 32 and injured 17 others before taking his own life.

'Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased and we extend our support to those who were injured,' President Tim Sands said in a letter to students.'

'Events like this are difficult and unsettling to all of us,' he added. 'Please care for yourself and seek assistance if you need it. Campus resources are listed below. Our community is strong, and our strength is derived from our genuine care and concern for one another.'

At the time of the shooting, the bar had just reopened to the public after being closed for three hours for a private party, according to Melody Hookah Lounge's website. 

The hookah bar - just blocks from the campus of Virginia Tech - is open until 2 a.m. typically on Fridays.  

A section of Main Street near Roanoke Street in downtown Blacksburg, was closed off for over five hours after the shooting while authorities investigated.  

Interior of the Melody Hookah Lounge

The bar had just reopened to the public after three hours closed for a private engagement

Blacksburg police are pursuing up to four suspects, according to USA Today, following initial reports of an active shooter.

'This incident continues to be a complex, ongoing case that has shifted to a homicide investigation,' Blacksburg police said in a statement. 

'There were five individuals that were injured in the shooting, four were transported to local hospitals and one is deceased,' they added. 'The severity of the injuries of those who were transported is unknown at this time.'

Melody Hookah Lounge released a statement on Facebook Saturday morning. 

'We are deeply hurt and devastated of what happened Friday night, our condolences go to the families and friends of everyone who were affected,' they said. Moving foward we will add more precautions and regulations in place for this types of situations.'

Virginia Tech was the site of one of the biggest campus mass shootings in history in 2007, when a gunman fatally shot 32 and injured 17 others before taking his own life. Injured occupants are carried out of Norris Hall at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Monday, April 16, 2007

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group