News/Commentary

Suspect, former football player, at large after 3 killed, 2 injured in shooting at University of Virginia

November 14, 2022 | | Print Article

Police are searching for former football player Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. in connection with the brutal shooting and killing of three people and wounding of two others on the University of Virginia campus Sunday night.

(Video Credit: 6abc Philadelphia)

The shooting was called in around 10:30 pm Sunday, according to Fox News. Shots were heard in the Culbreth parking garage. Following that development, a campus-wide alert was issued announcing the suspect was still at large and that people at the university should shelter in place.

Jones is the suspect being sought in the incident. He is not only a former football player but a student as well, according to authorities. The suspect was a football player in 2018 who, as a freshman, did not participate in any games.

Police say that he is a black male and was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket/hoodie, blue jeans, and red shoes. He could also be driving a black SUV with Virginia tag TWX3580.

The suspect is considered to be armed and dangerous and is still at large according to university president Jim Ryan who issued a statement on Monday following the shooting. Police are advising that anyone who sees him should immediately call 911 and not go anywhere near Jones.

https://twitter.com/UVAPolice/status/1592028905804009472

ADVERTISEMENT

UVA Police were advising sheltering in place as of 1 am. Individuals should contact family and friends to let them know “your status.” Currently, details are very sparse concerning the shooting and this is a developing story. The campus is still in lockdown.

A UVA student named Em Gunter, 19, who was in her dormitory room near Culbreth Road said she heard six shots fired, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

She sent a message to the 350 other residents in her building and warned them to stay inside. She then hunkered down in her room with friends.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I just have no words,” Gunter remarked. “This is insane.”

UVA vice president and chief student affairs officer Robyn S. Hadley advised students to “take the shelter-in-place commands seriously as the situation remains active.”

“We have all received several shelter-in-place texts, and they are frightening,” Hadley noted in an email to UVA’s student body.

“I am on grounds like many of you; I am sheltering in place and in direct touch with University leadership and UPD … If you are not inside and safe, immediately seek safety,” Hadley warned, stating that multiple police jurisdictions were working to locate the suspect.

ADVERTISEMENT

Numerous police departments are searching for Jones and they are using a Virginia State Police helicopter in the hunt, according to CNN. Members of the Louisa County Sheriff’s K-9 unit could also be seen walking toward the Culbreth Garage following the shooting.

A University of Virginia spokeswoman announced that the shooting and investigation into it “is still a very much active situation” and that students should continue to shelter in place. The spokeswoman, Bethanie Glover, claimed said she had no further information at this time according to The Daily Progress.

Latest posts by Terresa Monroe-Hamilton (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles