Former UVA football player sought after three killed, two wounded in shooting at University of Virginia
Tragedy struck at the University of Virginia on Sunday night, as a shooting occurred that took the lives of multiple individuals. UVA president Jim Ryan took to Twitter with a statement early on Sunday morning, saying that former Virginia football player and current UVA student Chris Jones is suspected to be the one to have done the shooting.
Ryan also said that three fatalities are known, while two others were injured. At the time of the statement at 4:37 a.m. on Nov. 14, Jones was still at large.
“Around 10:30 p.m. last night, there was a shooting on Grounds,” Ryan’s statement said. “One of our students, Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr., is suspected to have committed the shooting. The suspect remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. …
“As of this writing, I am heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities; two additional victims were injured and receiving medical care. …
“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. This is a traumatic incident for everyone in our community, and we have cancelled classes for today (Monday, Nov. 14).”
Students were instructed to “shelter in place,” or “RUN HIDE FIGHT” after the shooting late on Sunday night. As of 7:28 a.m. ET, the UVA Emergency Management Twitter account said that the search for Jones is still ongoing on and around the campus.
The UVA Police Department also tweeted late on Sunday night into Monday morning that Chris Jones is the suspect at large.
Jones played three years at Varina High School before finishing out his prep career at Petersburg High School prior to arriving at the University of Virginia. He is listed as a running back on his Virginia football profile, and he did not appear in any games during the 2018 season.