Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former University of Virginia student, has received five life sentences for the 2022 shooting that killed three football players and wounded two other students. Judge Cheryl Higgins imposed the maximum sentence after hearing five days of testimony.
Jones had pleaded guilty to the charges, which include one life sentence for each of the three killings of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry, and for the aggravated malicious wounding of Michael Hollins and Marlee Morgan. The incident occurred when Jones opened fire on a charter bus carrying students returning to campus from Washington D.C.
The shooting, which took place near a parking garage, led to a 12-hour lockdown of the university. Jones's time on the football team did not overlap with the victims, and there was no indication they knew each other prior to the shooting.
The judge stated that Jones acted with distorted perceptions but understood his actions, noting his prior texts indicating he anticipated a lengthy prison sentence. Jones discarded the weapon and clothing and lied to police immediately after the shooting.
In the aftermath, the university initiated an external review of its safety policies and response. It was acknowledged that Jones had previously been on the university's threat-assessment team.
The university also agreed to a $9 million settlement with the victims and their families, who argued that Jones should have been removed from campus earlier due to his erratic behavior. During his sentencing, Jones expressed remorse and apologized for his actions and the pain caused to those on the bus.
Some victims' family members left the courtroom as he spoke. A wounded survivor, Michael Hollins, stated that while no amount of jail time can replace the lost lives, the sentence brings some peace knowing the perpetrator will not harm others.
