University Of Virginia Mass Shooting
I am heartbroken to report three football players were killed and two students were injured in a mass shooting at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on Sunday night (November 13).
The shooting occurred on a bus full of students who were returning to campus from a field trip to see a play in Washington, D.C., according to University officials.
The Shooting Victims
The shooting victims were identified as wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr., linebacker D’Sean Perry, and wide receiver Devin Chandler.
One injured student is in critical condition and the other is in good condition.
The suspect, identified as Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., was taken into custody Monday morning, just before 11 a.m. in Henrico County, Virginia, according to Henrico police.
Jones is facing charges of three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony.
The charges are subject to change.
A motive for the shooting is unknown at this time.
Who Is Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr.?
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., 22, grew up in the Essex Village and Mosby Court public housing complex in Richmond.
He graduated from Petersburg High School with a 4.2 GPA and was fifth in his class.
At Petersburg, Jones was the football team’s MVP, captain of the track team, a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the student council, and president of the Key club.
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was a running back for the University of Virginia’s football team in 2018.
But, he never played in a game.
In September, University of Virginia officials investigated a report of Jones making a comment about possessing a gun, but he had not made a threat against anyone.
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was also involved in a hazing investigation, which was later closed due to uncooperative witnesses.
The university’s threat assessment team also learned of a February 2021 incident in another city involving “a concealed weapon violation,” that Jones failed to report.
This story is still developing.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to everyone impacted by this senseless act of gun violence.
Source: ABC News
