Three Students Killed on the University of Virginia's Campus, Suspect Captured
Three students were killed and two others wounded aboard a coach bus on the campus of the University of Virginia late Sunday evening as they returned from a field trip to Washington D.C.
The shooting occurred just after 10:15 Sunday evening on a charter bus in the Culbreth parking garage. Three students, Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry, and Lavel Davis Jr. were killed. According to UVA Police Chief Tim Longo, Chandler and Perry’s bodies were found aboard the charter bus by law enforcement officials.
Davis was rushed to a nearby medical center and was later pronounced dead. All three played football for the university and were in their junior year.
Two other students were wounded and rushed to area hospitals. As of Monday afternoon, one victim remains in critical condition while the other is reported as being in stable condition, per CNN.
Following the shooting, university officials sent out text messages and alerts to students to shelter in place and to run, hide, or fight if they came in contact with anyone with a gun. The shelter-in-place order was lifted just after 10:30 a.m Monday, per a tweet from the University of Virginia.
An intensive manhunt quickly ensued around the campus in search of 22-year-old Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.
Jones was arrested without incident in Henrico County in the suburban Richmond area, roughly 75 miles from Charlottesville. Jones 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 WRAL News.
Chief Longo was informed of Jones’ arrest mid-press conference as a fellow law enforcement officer whispered in his ear. Jones was a member of the football team during the 2018 season but did not play in any games. A possible motive for the shooting has not yet been determined.
Jones reportedly came to the attention of the university’s threat-assessment team after someone reported a comment he’d made about possessing a firearm. The university also learned about a prior incident involving Jones and a weapons violation outside Charlottesville, according to WRAL News.
Chief Longo also noted that Jones was once part of a hazing investigation, but due to uncooperative witnesses, the probe was closed.
The university is reportedly planning a vigil for the coming days and has canceled classes Tuesday to allow students to gather, grieve, and mourn.
Anyone who may have information regarding this shooting is encouraged to call the University of Virginia’s police at (434) 924-7166. Counseling and Psychological Services for students are available at (434) 243-5150 if necessary. Faculty and staff can reach out to the Faculty and Employee Assistance Program at (434) 243-2643.
