3 University of Virginia athletes killed, alleged shooter in custody
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Law enforcement blocks access to the crime scene on the grounds of the University of Virginia on Nov. 14 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The suspect believed involved in a shooting at the University of Virginia on Sunday night has been taken into custody by police, AP reported Monday.
Driving the news: The shooting, which occurred on the campus of the University of Virginia at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, killed three people and injured two others, UVA President Jim Ryan confirmed in a statement on Twitter Monday morning.
- Ryan identified the suspect as a UVA student, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.
The big picture: The three killed in the shooting were members of the university's football team, Ryan said at a press conference Monday morning.
- One of the persons injured is in good condition while the other is in critical condition, Ryan added.
- Ryan identified the victims as D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler and Lavel Davis Jr. Perry played linebacker for the Virginia Cavaliers, while Chandler and Davis were both wide receivers.
- The shooting occurred near a parking garage on campus on a bus of students as it returned from an off-campus trip, Ryan said.
- Jones, the suspected shooter, was a former running back. He was last listed on the team roster for the 2018-2019 season, but was still a student at the university.
State of play: A shelter-in-place order was initially issued Sunday night, UVA Emergency Management tweeted.
- The shelter-in-place order was lifted later Monday morning following “a thorough search on and around Grounds, UVA Emergency Management tweeted. “A large police presence will remain.”
- State and federal prosecutors issued a joint statement on Monday saying they were working together with local authorities "to thoroughly investigate this tragic incident and bring any possible charges in the appropriate jurisdiction.”
What they're saying: “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,” Ryan said in the statement. “This is a traumatic incident for everyone in our community.”
- "Heartbroken to hear of another Virginia community devastated by gun violence. Praying for the UVA community and closely monitoring the situation," Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) tweeted Monday.
- "I’m thankful for the hard work of local law enforcement in bringing the suspect of the shooting at UVA into custody. My thoughts are still with the families of the victims and the entire Charlottesville community. We must continue working to address the epidemic of gun violence," Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) tweeted.
- "The President and First Lady are mourning with the University of Virginia community after yet another deadly shooting in America has taken the lives of three young people," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Monday afternoon.
- "Our deepest condolences are with the countless families, friends, and neighbors grieving for those killed as well as those injured in this senseless shooting," she added, noting that the administration is "in close contact with state and local officials."
