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Ex-Virginia Football Player Arrested for Deadly Shooting at UVA

Authorities have apprehended Christopher Darnell Jones for the fatal shooting of three Virginia football players

Matt Newton

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Update: The suspect in the deadly shooting of three Virginia football players on Sunday night has been apprehended, according to UVA Chief of Police Timothy Longo. Read more information on the shooting and watch the full press conference from Longo and UVA president Jim Ryan here. 

University of Virginia Police have identified former Virginia football player, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., as the suspect in a deadly shooting that occurred on Sunday night at UVA. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:30pm on Sunday on Grounds at the University of Virginia and there are reportedly three fatalities and multiple additional victims who are receiving medical care. 

As of the publishing of this article, Jones remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen in a burgundy jacket, blue jeans, and red shoes and could be driving a black SUV with license plate number TWX3580. There is a shelter in place order currently active for all members of the UVA community. 

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A former walk-on, Jones was a running back on the UVA football roster in 2018, but did not appear in any games and left the team that season.  

In a statement released early on Monday morning, UVA president Jim Ryan confirmed that there are three fatalities and at least two wounded victims as a result of the shooting. 

"One of our students, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., is suspected to have committed the shooting," Ryan said in the statement. "As of this writing, I am heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities; two additional victims were injured and are receiving medical care."

"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," Ryan said. "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."

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

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