Former UVA football walk-on suspect in triple murder on campus

By Jerry Ratcliffe

A shooting on the University of Virginia campus late Sunday night has left three dead and two injured, school president Jim Ryan confirmed in a communication around 4 a.m. today.

The suspect is a UVA student and a former walk-on running back on the 2018 team, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. of Petersburg, according to Ryan and police reports. As of 4 a.m., Jones remained at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

“We are working with the families of the victims and we will share additional details as soon as we are able,” Ryan said. “Our University Police Department has joined forces with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect and we will keep our community apprised of developments as the situation evolves.”

UVA Alert: ACTIVE ATTACKER firearm reported in area of Culbreth Road. RUN HIDE FIGHT

— UVA Emergency Management (@UVA_EM) November 14, 2022

The shootings occurred around 10:30 p.m., reportedly at the Culbreth Garage. UVA Emergency Management immediately advised students to shelter in place. A manhunt, including Virginia State Police helicopters, began searching for Jones shortly afterward.

Jones was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket, blue jeans and red shoes, and was believed to be driving a black SUV with Virginia license plates: TWX3580.

There was an unconfirmed report that at least one of the fatalities was a current UVA football player.

“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,” Ryan wrote. “This is a traumatic incident for everyone in our community and we have cancelled all classes for today (Monday, Nov. 14). At this point only designated essential employees should continue to work remotely.”