Who is Christopher Jones? Ex-football player accused of late night shooting at University of Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA: Students at the University of Virginia have been asked to take shelter as police look for a suspect who is believed to have opened fire on campus. Police in Charlottesville has described the alleged suspect, Christopher Darnell Jones, as armed and dangerous.
"UVA Alert: SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A BLACK MAN, WEARING A BURGANDY JACKET OR HOODIE, BLUE JEANS, RED SHOES," UVA Police Deaprtment tweeted. In a series of tweets, police have been sharing updates on the shooting incident. "UPDATE ON CULBRETH RD: 1 SUSPECT IS AT LARGE, CONSIDERED ARMED & DANGEROUS. CONTINUE TO SHELTER IN PLACE. REACH OUT TO FRIENDS & FAMILY TO ADVISE OF STATUS," they wrote.
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In another tweet, identifying the sus[ect, the department wrote, "The UVA Police Department is looking for Christopher Darnell Jones regarding the shooting incident that occurred on the grounds of the University of Virginia. Call 911 if seen, do not approach."
UVA Alert: SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A BLACK MAN, WEARING A BURGANDY JACKET OR HOODIE, BLUE JEANS, RED SHOES.
— UVA Police Department (@UVAPolice) November 14, 2022
UPDATE ON CULBRETH RD: 1 SUSPECT IS AT LARGE, CONSIDERED ARMED & DANGEROUS. CONTINUE TO SHELTER IN PLACE. REACH OUT TO FRIENDS & FAMILY TO ADVISE OF STATUS.
— UVA Police Department (@UVAPolice) November 14, 2022
The UVA Police Department is looking for Christopher Darnell Jones regarding the shooting incident that occurred on the grounds of the University of Virginia. Call 911 if seen, do not approach. pic.twitter.com/mKcxF6ksxw
— UVA Police Department (@UVAPolice) November 14, 2022
Who is Christopher Darnell Jones?
Not much has been revealed about Jones except that he is a 23-year-old former football player. One of four siblings, he is originally from Petersburg, Virginia, according to his profile on VirginiaSports.com.
The profile says, "Played linebacker and running back at Petersburg High School for head coach Michael Scott … earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a senior … spent first three years of high school at Varina High School where he earned honorable mention all-conference as a freshman and second-team accolades as a sophomore and junior … member of the National Honor Society … National Technical Honor Society … president of Key Club … president of Jobs for Virginia Grads Program … named Student of the Year as a freshman and sophomore at Varina … son of Margo Ellis and Christopher Jones, Sr. … has three siblings, Eliza, Darrius and Varian."
Uncomfirmed reports suggest there have been multiple student deaths, but police are yet to confirm the same. A Twitter user, who appears to be the mother of a student at the university, wrote, "My daughter is currently safe at The University of Virginia—sheltering in place in her apartment. We have heard there are multiple student deaths. Please pray they find the shooter."
My daughter is currently safe at The University of Virginia—sheltering in place in her apartment. We have heard there are multiple student deaths. Please pray they find the shooter. 🙏🏻
— Ingsh mom of aME!ia (@inordqui) November 14, 2022
Meanwhile, University of Virginia wrote in a Facebook post, "For family and friends with questions about the event, @UVA has established an Emergency Hotline at 877-685-4836. Continue to follow directives in the UVA Alerts. To sign up to receive UVA Alerts via text message, text "UVA" to 226787."