University of Virginia shooting leaves three dead as ex-athlete suspect arrested

Charlottesville, Virginia - Three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting at the University of Virginia (UVA) late Sunday night, according to campus police. The suspect is in police custody.

Police at the scene of a deadly shooting at the University of Virginia.
Police at the scene of a deadly shooting at the University of Virginia.  © WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The shooting occurred around 10:30 PM Sunday on Culbreth Road at a parking garage behind the Drama building, per NBC news.

All victims are Virginia Cavaliers football players.

Wide receivers Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler, as well as linebacker D'Sean Perry, were tragically killed, while two others athletes are receiving medical care for injuries sustained in the shooting.

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The UVA has confirmed that the suspect is Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. Per the university's athletics website, Jones was also a member of the team in 2018.

As reported by Fox News, UVA Police Chief Timothy J. Longo was giving a press conference on Monday morning when he was informed that the suspected shooter had been brought into custody.

The search for the subject is ongoing. Classed have been canceled on Monday and the UVA has repeatedly tweeted to ask that everyone to "remain sheltered in place."

University President says he is heart broken by the incident

The president of the University of Virginia, Jim Ryan, released a statement on the fatal shooting, which he said left him "heartbroken."

"This is a message any leader hopes to never 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," Ryan wrote.

An emergency hotline (877-685-4836) has been set up for those with questions about the incident or those trying to contact those on campus.

Cover photo: The UVA has confirmed that the suspect is a former member of the university's football team.

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