Ex-Cavaliers FB player Chris Jones is the alleged suspect in UVA shootings

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was a Virginia Cavaliers football player. Now, he is considered the prime suspect in a mass murder on the University of Virginia campus.

Jones Jr. is suspected of killing three people and wounding two others late Sunday night in Charlottesville, Virginia. The authorities have a shelter in place in the surrounding area.

The alleged gunman was listed on the Cavaliers’ 2018 roster as a freshman. He was listed as Chris Jones on the Hoos website.

However, he did not appear in any games.

School President Jim Ryan said that Jones was a student at the school. Jones was still at large, according to Ryan, as of Monday morning.

The incident happened around 10:30 pm Sunday evening. The shooting happened at a parking garage.

A description for Jones is that he was last wearing a burgundy jacket or hoodie, with blue jeans and red shoes. Authorities believe that he may be driving a black SUV with Virginia plates.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

“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,” Ryan said in a message to the campus community. “We are working closely with the families of the victims, and we will share additional detail as soon as we are able.

“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. This is a message any leader hopes never have to send, and I am devasted that this violence has visited the University of Virginia.”