Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. Motives Questioned After UVA Shooting That Killed 3, Injured 2

A student is in custody after a shooting at the University of Virginia left three students dead and two wounded last Sunday night. Now, police are trying to determine shooter’s motives.  

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former UVA football player, allegedly opened fire on the school’s Charlottesville campus on a bus returning from a field trip. The suspect is facing three charges of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony, according to a UVA Police Chief.

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The university’s president, Jim Ryan, named the deceased victims as football players Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. The two wounded students are being treated at UVA Medical Center. Ryan said one is in critical condition and one is in good condition.

A spokesperson from UVA said that in September, school officials had heard that Jones had “made a comment to [another student] about possessing a gun.” When investigating the claim, the school learned that Jones had previously failed to report that he was convicted of a misdemeanor concealed weapons violation in 2021. 

Jones was taken into custody on Monday afternoon after a manhunt involving multiple agencies ensued around the campus. Meanwhile, students were issued a warning to shelter in place. About 500 people were on lockdown overnight in campus buildings.

A statement from the county police said he was “taken into custody without incident” in Henrico County, about 80 miles east of Charlottesville.

The suspect’s father said his son was “paranoid,” and that students had been picking on him, but police have not released any statements regarding a motive.

Students gathered on campus in a silent vigil to honor Davis, Chandler and Perry.

UVA’s head football coach, Tony Elliot, released a statement about the murdered students.

“These were incredible young men with huge aspirations and extremely bright futures. Our hearts ache for their families, their classmates and their friends,” Elliot said. “They touched us, inspired us and worked incredibly hard as representatives of our program, university and community.”