Late Sunday, the University of Virginia took a horrific loss in losing three of its students in a campus shooting, reported Mark Schlabach for ESPN. Sadly, three of their students were athletes, specifically, football players for the Cavaliers. However, the story takes an interesting turn when many find out that the suspect killer in custody at the moment is a former football player of the University. The suspect murderer officially killed three students and wounded another two.
After a long manhunt to track him down, he’s been apprehended, according to Charlottesville, Virginia, police confirmed Monday. The three football players tragically murdered were junior WR Lavel Davis Jr., junior WR Devin Chandler, and junior DE D’Sean Perry. The suspected murderer is Christopher Darnell Jr. and he’s being charged with three counts of second-degree murder. This includes three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony.
University of Virginia President Jim Ryan expressed his condolences and sorrow for the victims and their loved ones following the tragic shooting incident. Ryan described it as a sad and shocking day for the university community.
University Virginia Football Thoughts and Prayers
Naturally, the HC for the Virginia football Cavaliers Tony Elliot released a statement on behalf of the tragic loss of three of his current players. In general, this is a troubling time for athletes and even regular students that attend the University.
Essentially, their safety is compromised and many are looking for security within their individual safety. In Elliot’s statement, he mentions deep heartache. He also mentions after receiving the troubling news how he still finds hope within the Virginia community. He believes they can still rally and come together.
“I cannot express the immense sorrow and pain our team is feeling today after the tragic events last night that led to the loss of Lavel, D’Sean, and Devin,” Elliot stated. “We also extend our thoughts to those who were injured. These young men had exceptional dreams and promising futures ahead of them. Our hearts ache for their families, classmates, and friends. They were taken from us too soon.
We feel grateful to have had them in our lives. They touched us, motivated us, and worked diligently as representatives of our program, university, and community. May they rest in peace,” Elliot concluded.
