Some absolutely heartbreaking news out of the University of Virginia today.
According to CBS News, three Virginia football players were killed late Sunday night near an on-campus parking garage, and two others are injured after former football player Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. opened fire.
The deceased victims are Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry, according to UVA President Jim Ryan.
The two others who were injured are now being treated for their wounds in the hospital.
Ryan shared in a press conference today:
“This is a sad, shocking and tragic day for our UVA community.”
The shooting occurred near a campus parking garage on a bus “full of students” returning from a field trip.
Police responded to a 911 call about shots fired at exactly 10:30 PM last night.
After a campus wide manhunt, Jones Jr. was apprehended, and was charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony, according to the university’s police chief Tim Longo.
A picture was released of Jones Jr. from back in 2018, where he was a member of the football team as a freshman.
It’s also being reported that the UVA Threat Assessment Team was aware of Jones after it was reported that he possessed a gun. There’s is also mention of his involvement in a hazing incident, but it’s unclear if he was the victim or not.
Students and staff were warned to take shelter late Sunday night after a report that shots had been fired on campus.
The university’s emergency management issued a warning on Twitter at 10:42 PM, of an “active attacker firearm.”
The warning was removed later this morning after the suspect was in custody.
Ryan later sent out a letter to the university community, saying he was:
“Heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said on Twitter:
“This morning, Suzanne and I are praying for the UVA community.”
The ACC has also released the following statement:
