No suspect has been identified, and nobody is in custody, officials said, NBC News reported.
The incident was still characterized as an "active shooter situation" Tuesday night, Maj. Elizabeth Scott of the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office said at a news conference.
"At this point in time I don’t know that we have any suspects in custody, so we’re asking the public to please stay clear of the area, let the investigators do their job," the major said.
Residents near the shooting should stay indoors, she added.
Public schools in nearby Fredericksburg are scheduled to open two hours behind schedule Wednesday to allow for preparations that will enable staff to provide "care and support ... during this difficult time," the city school district said in a statement.
Scott said it wasn't clear if two or three people who were seen being questioned were suspects.
"This is about as bad as it can get with six people shot right now," Scott said.
The victims were hospitalized in unknown condition, and their ages were unavailable, Sheriff Roger L. Harris said in a statement.
"Upon arrival, deputies found multiple subjects shot," he said. "No suspect(s) have been apprehended at this time."
The violence was reported about 5:30 p.m. in the area of Old Greenwich Circle in Spotsylvania County, Harris he sheriff said. That's about 56 miles south of Washington.
Scott said investigators at the scene, Virginia State Police and nearby Fredericksburg police were trying to figure out what happened.
"Multiple investigators are still there trying to determine who the suspects were and what the motive is," she said.