Suspect accused of killing 3 University of Virginia football players in custody
Fox News justice correspondent David Spunt reports on the status of an ongoing investigation into a shooting that took place at the University of Virginia.
The former University of Virginia football player accused of shooting five of his former teammates, including three fatally, on a charter bus after returning from a class field trip Sunday night had faced a prior hazing investigation, but the matter had been closed, according to UVA campus police.
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. – apprehended off-campus following a 12-hour manhunt and exhaustive, building-by-building search of the UVA grounds – also was facing a pending disciplinary matter after failing to report a prior February 2021 criminal matter involving a concealed weapon violation that occurred outside of Charlottesville as required of all students attending the D1 university.
Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr. is seen in this mugshot released by the The Henrico County Sheriff's Office, Monday November 14, 2022. Jones is charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of three UVA football players last night. (The Henrico County Sheriff's Office)
A former UVA football player, Jones had not been on the team for more than a year.
The three deceased victims have been identified as Devin Chandler, a second-year student from Virginia Beach, Virginia; Lavel Davis, a third-year student from Ridgeville, South Carolina; and D'Sean Perry, a fourth-year student from Miami, Florida. All three were members of the UVA football team.
Perry was a linebacker, while Chandler, a transfer student from the University of Wisconsin, and Davis were wide receivers. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, according to UVA officials.
University of Virginia police released a picture of Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., named as the suspect in a shooting on the UVA campus on Nov. 13, 2022. (University of Virginia police/Twitter)
Davis’ cousin, Sean Lampkin, a football coach at Newberry College in South Carolina, took to Twitter.
"Saddening, saddening news this morning. God took one of his most kind, humble, loving soldiers off of the battlefield last night," Lampkin wrote. "Please pray for my family as we are devastated by the passing my cousin Lavel Davis Jr. Love and already miss you, kid."
"I cannot find the words to express the devastation and heartache that our team is feeling today after the tragic events last night that resulted in the deaths of Lavel, D’Sean and Devin, and the others who were injured," Virginia Head Football Coach Tony Elliott said in a statement.
"These were incredible young men with huge aspirations and extremely bright futures. Our hearts ache for their families, their classmates and their friends. These precious young men were called away too soon. We are all fortunate to have them be a part of our lives. They touched us, inspired us and worked incredibly hard as representatives of our program, university and community. Rest in peace, young men."
"As a mother of three children, I ache for the parents and family members. We lost three talented and bright young men. We will never see what their impact on the world would have been, but we will never forget their impact on us," Virginia Athletics Director Carla Williams said in a statement.
"I miss Lavel, D’Sean and Devin. I pray for peace, comfort and hope for their parents and loved ones. For their teammates, coaches and friends, I pray for strength and a peace that surpasses all understanding."
The White House said it was monitoring the situation in Charlottesville and was in close contact with state and local officials.
"Too many families across America are bearing the awful burden of gun violence. Earlier this year, President Biden signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly three decades, in addition to taking other historic actions," the White House said in a statement. "But we must do more. We need to enact an assault weapons ban to get weapons of war off America’s streets. House Democrats acted, and the Senate should follow."
FOUR UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENTS FOUND DEAD NEAR CAMPUS ‘BELIEVED TO BE VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE’
Another two UVA students remained hospitalized Monday, one in good condition and another in critical condition.
UVA officials would not identify them, but a source tells Fox News Digital that both were also members of the UVA football team, that Jones nearly took out the entire offensive line.
UVA football player Lavel Davis Jr. (Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site)
At an 11 a.m. press conference Monday, UVA Police Chief Timothy J. Longo spoke of Jones’ past.
UVA football player Devin Chandler (Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site)
"Mr. Jones has also come to the attention of our threat assessment team because he was involved in a hazing investigation of some sort," Longo said. "I don’t know the facts and circumstances of that investigation. I know it was eventually closed due to witnesses who would not cooperate with the process. But through the course of the threat assessment team’s investigation, we learned of a prior criminal incident involving a concealed weapon violation that occurred outside the city of Charlottesville in February 2021. What’s interesting about that case [is] he’s required as a student at the University of Virginia to report that, and he never did, so the university has taken appropriate administrative charges through the university’s judiciary council, and that matter is still pending adjudication."
UVA football player D'Sean Perry (Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site)
The shooting unfolded before 10:30 p.m. Sunday on a charter bus at an on-campus parking garage when students were turning from a class trip to see a play and have a meal together.
"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. And they are all in my prayers. As I said before, when I see our students, I see my own kids, and I cannot imagine anything worse for a parent than to lose a child," UVA President Jim Ryan said. "Please know we will do everything we can to honor their lives and will come together soon to mourn these losses. In the meantime, if you need help, especially our students, please don’t hesitate to reach out."
University of Virginia Police Chief Timothy J. Longo is informed by a Virginia State Police captain that the shooting suspect, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., had been arrested. The announcement was made at a mid-morning press conference on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)
"And please reach out to each other and lend each other an ear and a shoulder, even if virtually," he added at the press conference. "This is an extraordinarily difficult day for our community, and we need to comfort and support each other and those closest to the victims of this horrendous shooting."
Ryan and Provost Ian Baucom later said University Police will continue working with their partners in law enforcement to investigate and will provide additional information when it is available.
WASHINGTON POST CHANGES HEADLINE ABOUT SUSPECTED UVA SHOOTER'S ‘TROUBLED CHILDHOOD’
They said there would be no classes or formal academic activities on Tuesday in order to give students the opportunity to reflect, mourn and gather with each other. They have also asked deans and the faculty to be flexible with students, assignments, and attendance. A university-wide vigil is also forthcoming.
Police responded to find the bodies of Perry and Chandler dead from gunshot wounds inside the bus. Davis was taken to the university medical center, where he died from his injuries.
University of Virginia shooting scene (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)
"For hours, we had to process a crime scene, and I know I don’t have to tell you how difficult that is for a family to now know and to see email chatter and social media. And we did our best to try to keep up with that," Longo said.
Interrupted by a police captain, Longo was briefed that Jones had been taken into custody.
"Thank you, captain. We just received information that the suspect is in custody," Longo said, taking a brief pause. "I just need a moment to thank God and breathe a sigh of relief."
University of Virginia President Jim Ryan speaks at press conference. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
At about 10:30 a.m. Monday, a shelter-in-place order had been lifted after authorities determined that Jones left the area. More than 500 students had remained sheltered in place inside buildings throughout the school grounds, studying in libraries, classrooms and other places, Longo said.
Jones was subsequently apprehended off-campus, but police have not yet clarified where. An arrest warrant had been secured for Jones for three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in commission of a felony. The charges might be amended in the future, Longo said.
Fox News' Cameron Cawthorne contributed to this report.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
