Student suspect in custody after 3 football players shot dead and 2 people wounded at the University of Virginia
Police have in custody an ex-University of Virginia football player suspected of fatally shot three current players and wounded two others late Sunday at the school’s main campus in Charlottesville as they were returning from a class field trip. The suspect, Christopher Darnall Jones Jr., faces three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a crime and one count of malicious wounding, according to police. All classes have been cancelled on Tuesday and will be used as a time for mourning the victims.
According to university officials, the incident took place on a bus that was returning from Washington, DC, where the class had attended a play. If Jones went on the field trip or was a student in that class is not immediately obvious.
Around 10:30 p.m., Ryan reported, police were called to a report of gunfire in an area bordered by academic buildings and a parking garage on Culbreth Road. The bus contained two dead people, and the third was transferred to a hospital where he later passed away, according to Longo.
A shelter-in-place warning was issued in response to the call, which was later lifted, according to Longo. According to him, more than 500 people found shelter in various campus buildings, including libraries and classrooms.
University classes on Monday were postponed. According to a news release, the school canceled classes on Tuesday to “provide students the chance to reflect, mourn, and gather with each other.” According to UVA Emergency Management personnel, a family and community help center has also been established on campus to offer mental health services to UVA community members.
In a message to families, the K–12 district announced that Charlottesville City Schools will likewise be closed on Monday. Monday night’s UVA men’s basketball game has also been postponed, the institution announced.