Three University of Virginia college football players have been shot dead as part of a mass shooting by fellow student Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.
The New York Post reports, linebacker D’Sean Perry and wide receivers Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler were killed whilst on a bus returning from a class field trip on Sunday (November 13) night.
Jones was arrested following a 12-hour search after he had fled the scene.
He was charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun to commit a felony.
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Two other players were wounded in the shooting and are currently in hospital.
The University of Virginia (UVA) camps had been on lockdown since the shooting, with Monday classes cancelled until Jones had been found and taken into custody.
UVA police announced that shots had rung out on a charter bust out in the area of Culbreth Road on university grounds at 10:30 pm on Sunday.
The class had been returning from seeing a play.
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UVA Police Chief Tim Longo told a press conference on Monday (November 14) that more than 500 students had remained sheltered inside buildings such as libraries and classrooms throughout the grounds.
After hearing word that Jones had been apprehended Longo said: “I just need a moment to thank God and breathe a sigh of
relief.”
As of 10:33 am the shelter-in-place order had been lifted, although a larger police presence remained.
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Jones had previously been the subject of a prior hazing investigation and was facing administration disciplinary action for failing to report a criminal incident involving a concealed weapon violation back in February 2021.
He was a former UVA football player but had not been on the team for over a year.
Longo said Jones had been taken into custody off campus grounds.
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UVA President Jimy Ryan had written to the community that Monday morning to update the public after safety alerts were sent out.
He said: “As of writing, I am heartbroken to report the shooting has resulted in three fatalities; two additional victims were injured and are receiving medical care.
“We are working with the families of the victims, and we will share additional details as soon as we are able.”
Adding: “This is a message any leader hopes never to have to send, and I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia.
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“I am holding the victims, their families, and all members of the University of Virginia community in my heart today, and we will make plans to come together as a community to grieve as soon as the suspect is apprehended.”
Featured Image Credit: Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic SiteTopics: US Sports, American Football, NFL