Christopher Jones Jr., the man accused of shooting and killing three individuals and injuring two others at the University of Virginia in 2022, pleaded guilty to multiple charges on Wednesday. In a hearing before the Albemarle County Circuit Court in Charlottesville, Jones pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, and five counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Jones is facing a sentence of up to five life terms, with his sentencing scheduled for February, following a trial that had been set for January.
The victims of the shooting were Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry, all members of the university’s football team. Mike Hollins, also a football player, and Marlee Morgan were also shot. Hollins, who fully recovered, resumed playing football after the incident.
The shooting occurred on November 13, 2022, after the victims and others were returning from a field trip to Washington, D.C., where they had attended a theatrical production. They were traveling back to the University of Virginia on a charter bus when the incident took place.
UVA President Jim Ryan expressed the ongoing pain felt by the university community, stating, “Today’s proceedings represent another step in a lengthy and painful journey for the families of the victims and for our community.” He added, “We continue to grieve the loss of three beloved members of our community and the injuries suffered by others on the bus.”
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