He was interrupted during an 11 a.m. press conference. on Monday, UVA Police Chief Timothy J. Longo thanked a captain who alerted him that Jones had been taken into custody somewhere off campus. “I just need a moment to thank God and breathe a sigh of relief,” Longo said, after bowing his head in a brief pause. UVA President Jim Ryan had already identified the three dead victims earlier in the event. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MANHUNT: WHO IS THE FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYER WHO SHOT SUSPECT CHRISTOPHER DARNELL JONES, JR? They are UVA linebacker D’Sean Perry and UVA wide receivers Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler. A source tells Fox News Digital that the other two hospitalized are also UVA football players. An arrest warrant had been secured for Jones on three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of use of a weapon in the commission of a felony. Charges may be modified in the future, Longo said. UVA football player D’Sean Perry. (Credit: Virginia Cavaliers Official Sports Site) The shooting unfolded at approximately 10:30 p.m. in a parking garage on campus. Gunfire erupted on a charter bus while students were returning from a class field trip to see a play, according to UVA officials. “Someone among them chose to do an act of violence,” Longo said of the charter bus shooting scene. Until about 10:30 A.M. as of Monday, more than 500 students remained housed in buildings across the state, studying in libraries, classrooms and other spaces, Longo said. Before the shooting, Jones had been the subject of a prior investigation, Longo said. He also faced disciplinary action from the administration for allegedly not reporting a February 2021 criminal incident involving a concealed weapons violation that occurred outside of Charlottesville to UVA officials as requested by students. UVA football player Lavel Davis Jr. (Courtesy: Virginia Cavaliers Official Sports Site) Jones, a former UVA football player, has not been on the team for more than a year. Classes and all extracurricular activities were canceled on Monday. As of 10:33 a.m., the shelter had been lifted for the campus after an extensive search of the grounds, but a heavy police presence remained. It was unclear where Jones was taken into custody, but Longo said it was off campus. Fox News confirmed that the FBI arrived at the scene Monday morning. The investigation was led by local law enforcement and involved multiple other agencies, including a Virginia State Police helicopter. UVA football player Devin Chandler. (Credit: Virginia Cavaliers Official Sports Site) In a message to the community earlier Monday, Ryan wrote to provide an update on the multiple public safety alerts that were sent out after Sunday’s 10:30 p.m. shooting that killed three and injured two others. Ryan, confirming that Jones is a UVA student, said the suspect remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous. Jones was described by police as a black man who was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket or hoodie, blue jeans and red shoes. He was believed to be driving a black SUV with Virginia tag TWX3580. “Multiple law enforcement agencies are coordinating to find him and arrest him,” Ryan said. “As of this writing, I am sad to report that the shooting resulted in three deaths; two additional victims were injured and are receiving medical treatment. We are working with the families of the victims and will share additional details as we are able.” UVA police appear on campus as law enforcement search for shooting suspect Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr. (System: Fox News) “This is a message every leader hopes they never have to send, and I am devastated that this violence was visited upon the University of Virginia,” Ryan added. “My hearts go out to the victims, their families and all members of the University of Virginia community today, and we will make plans to come together as a community to grieve once the suspect is apprehended.” The shooting was first reported around 10:30 p.m. Sunday when shots were fired in Culbreth’s garage. A short time later, a campus-wide alert was issued announcing that the suspect was on the loose and telling all UVA people to evacuate. University police said they were looking for Jones in connection with the shooting. VIRGINIA MAN ARRESTED IN SHOOTING THAT LEAVES EIGHT WOUNDED NEAR JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS University of Virginia police have released a photo of Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., who has been named as a suspect in a shooting on the UVA campus on Nov. 13, 2022. (University of Virginia Police/Twitter) Anyone who spots Jones is asked to call 911 immediately and not to approach him. A UVA warning issued before 7:30 a.m. on Monday said the law enforcement investigation in and around the school grounds is continuing. “Stay protected in place,” the notice read. “Expect an increased law enforcement presence.” A Charlottesville police vehicle is parked on Culbreath Street during an active shooter situation on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Va., Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. (Mike Kropf /The Daily Progress via AP) Vice president and dean of students Robyn S. Hadley said Monday it was for reasons “like many of you.” “I am sheltering in place and in direct contact with University leadership and UPD,” the message said. “Please take shelter-in-place orders seriously as the situation remains active. The suspect is armed and dangerous. If you are not inside and safe, seek security immediately.” A police officer walks down Culbreath Street during an active shooter situation on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Va., Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. (Mike Kropf /The Daily Progress via AP) As of 1 a.m., UVA police said to continue sheltering in place and to contact friends and family to let them know “your situation.” NORFOLK, VIRGINIA MASS ASSEMBLY OUTSIDE UNIVERSITY LEAVES 7, INCLUDING COLLEGE STUDENTS, INJURED CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital has reached out to the University of Virginia police, but has not yet heard back. This is a developing story. Jake Gibson is a producer based in Fox News’ Washington bureau covering politics, law enforcement and intelligence.
