Three UVA Football Players Shot And Killed On Campus, Former RB Named Suspect
University of Virginia Three Football Players Shot & Killed On Campus ... Former RB Named Suspect
2:11 PM PT -- Virginia head coach Tony Elliott just released a statement on the tragedy ... saying, "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."
"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."
He added ... "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."
8:27 AM PT -- The UVA Police Department said Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. has been arrested.
8:18 AM PT -- UVA President Jim Ryan has confirmed that three football players -- D'Sean Perry, Lavel Davis and Devin Chandler -- were shot and killed during the incident.
Ryan said the two others wounded by gunfire are currently being treated at a local hospital. One, according to Ryan, is in good condition. The other is in critical condition. Ryan did not ID either victim by name.
Ryan said the incident happened as a bus full of students was returning from a field trip to see a play for a class in D.C. -- but police are still investigating a potential motive.
Ryan announced that in addition to the cancelation of classes, Monday night's Cavaliers men's basketball game was also canceled.
Police are on the hunt for a former University of Virginia football player ... after they say he's suspected of shooting and killing three people, while injuring two others, in a horrifying on-campus incident Sunday night.
The shooting occurred at Culbreth Parking Garage at around 10:30 PM -- and, according to the university police department, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a current student, is suspected of pulling the trigger.
A shooting on the University of Virginia campus Sunday left three people dead and two others injured.
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 14, 2022 @TODAYshow
The shooter, suspected to be a student, is still at large, the university's president said. pic.twitter.com/KU0A4VPJll
As of Monday morning, Jones had not been taken into custody. Police said they've launched a manhunt for the ex-Cavaliers running back -- and are urging anyone to call 911 with information about his whereabouts. They say he was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket, blue jeans and red shoes, and is considered armed and dangerous.
Jones, according to the school's website, played tailback for UVA in 2018, but did not appear in any games.
The victims of the shooting have not yet been identified. A potential motive also remains unclear.
School president Jim Ryan announced Monday morning classes had been canceled as the search for Jones continues.
An update on the active shooter incident at UVA: pic.twitter.com/LLshF8JJcR
— Jim Ryan (@presjimryan) November 14, 2022 @presjimryan
"This is a message any leader hopes never to have to send," Ryan said in a statement to the school, "and I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia."
Originally Published -- 6:56 AM PT