Photo: Getty Images
All three victims killed in a shooting at the University of Virginia were identified as members of the Cavaliers football team, UVA President Jim Ryan revealed during a news conference Monday (November 14) morning via the Associated Press.
Ryan identified the three victims as linebacker D'Sean Perry and wide receivers Devin Chandler and Lavel Davis Jr.
The suspected shooter, Darnell Jones, who was listed as a member of the Cavaliers football team in 2018, but didn't appear in any games, is in custody, according to UVA campus police via NBC 29 reporter Madison McNamee.
Initial gunfire was reported at a parking garage on Culbreth Road at 10:30 p.m. Sunday near the university's drama building, the UVA Office of Emergency Management said in a tweet.
Ryan specified that the incident occurred after a bus full of students returned to the campus from a field trip.
"I am heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities," Ryan said in an email to students, adding that two others were hospitalized due to injuries sustained.
"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 said.
UVA classes were cancelled for Monday as students were advised to "shelter in place" or "RUN HIDE FIGHT" by UVA's emergency management office.
Jones was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket, blue jeans and red shoes and is suspected of possibly driving a black SUV, according to the emergency management office.
Multiple agencies, including the UVA emergency management office and a Virginia State Police helicopter, were reported to have still been searching for the suspect as of 2:55 a.m. Monday.
A complete search on and around the UVA campus was conducted by law enforcement at around 6:00 a.m. on Monday as students were ordered to shelter in place.
"We have all received several shelter in place texts, and they are frightening," said Robyn S. Hadley, vice president and dean of students at UVA, in an email sent out to students. "I am on Grounds like many of you; I am sheltering in place and in direct touch with University leadership and UPD."
"Please, please take the shelter in place commands seriously as the situation remains active," Hadley added.