Holly MatkinCharlottesville, VA – Three University of Virginia (UVA) football players were fatally shot and two other victims were injured after a fellow student opened fire on them inside a bus near the heart of the university’s campus on Sunday night.
UVA football players D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler, and Lavel Davis have been identified as the three victims who were murdered in the attack, WRIC reported.
Two more victims remained hospitalized on Monday.
University officials said one was listed in critical condition, and the other was listed in good condition, WRIC reported.
Their identities were not immediately released.
The alleged gunman, UVA student and former university football player Christopher Darnell Jones, 22, was apprehended late Monday morning after a massive overnight manhunt.
The circumstances and location of his arrest were not immediately released, nor was a motive for the mass shooting.
UVA UPDATE: Police have the suspect in custody. This is the final alert message.
— UVA Police Department (@UVAPolice) November 14, 2022
The deadly attack occurred at the Culbreth Garage at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, UVA Emergency Management said in a tweet.
“The shootings occurred on a bus full of students returning from a field trip,” UVA President Jim Ryan told reporters during a news conference on Monday.
The group had attended a play in Washington, DC that day as part of one of their classes.
UVAPD Chief Tim Longo said during the press conference that the gunman opened fire was “amongst” those who were aboard the bus.
RIP to Lavel Davis, Devin Chandler, & D’Sean Perry …… Thoughts and prayers to the UVA team and community, absolute tragedy for the families of these 3 young men. pic.twitter.com/YD8tWiETlm
— Coach Rahn (@CoachRobRahn) November 14, 2022
The University of Virginia Police Department (UVAPD) issued regular updates on Twitter throughout Sunday night and Monday morning instructing the university community to “remain sheltered in place” while the manhunt continued.
The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted.
“The families of all the victims have been notified and the university is providing any and every available assistance,” Ryan said. “I have spoke with four of the families and I spoke directly to the student who is in good condition.”
The university president said he is thankful for the law enforcement response in the wake of the horrific attack.
Talked to Lavel Davis Jr. before the season about the family he found at UVA.
The story never ran, but I wanted to share this from Lavel on his love for his teammates, coaches and their families. pic.twitter.com/cnadPgIajM
— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) November 14, 2022
“This is an unimaginably said day for our community,” Ryan said. “The entire university community is grieving this morning. My heart is broken for the victims and their families and for all those who knew and loved them…I cannot imagine anything worse for a parent than to lose a child.”
Chief Longo said more than 500 students sheltered in place in buildings across the UVA campus while the 12-hour search for the gunman was underway.
#UniversityofVirginia in #lockdown still this morning after a shooter killed 3 people and wounded 2 yesterday. #UVA #PrayForUVA pic.twitter.com/imVT22t2ed
— Breaking News Worldwide (@FelizKarenP1) November 14, 2022
Classes at UVA were canceled on Monday in the wake of the fatal shooting.
The suspect has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony, according to the chief.
The UVA Police Department is looking for Christopher Darnell Jones regarding the shooting incident that occurred on the grounds of the University of Virginia. Call 911 if seen, do not approach. pic.twitter.com/mKcxF6ksxw
— UVA Police Department (@UVAPolice) November 14, 2022
The alleged gunman had previously come to the attention of the UVA Threat Assessment Team in September.
“They received information that Mr. Jones had made a comment about possessing a gun to a person who was unaffiliated with the university,” Chief Longo said.
The person who made the report did not actually see the suspect with a firearm and the comment about him owning a gun “was not made in conjunction with any threats,” the chief said.
Investigators spoke to the suspect’s roommate about the alleged firearm, but the roommate told them he had not seen him with a gun.
Here on campus, @uva students remembering those killed. Some students just put up this banner, near the crime scene, in honor of the three football players with their numbers. #uva pic.twitter.com/nShAS5As8f
— Blair Miller (@BlairMillerTV) November 14, 2022
The suspect was also previously involved in some type of “hazing investigation” in the past, but that case was ultimately closed because witnesses refused to cooperate with the investigation, according to Chief Longo.
In February of 2021, the alleged killer was charged with a concealed weapon violation in a jurisdiction outside of Charlottesville.
No additional details regarding that incident were immediately released.
Sandy Malone