The man accused of shooting and killing three people and injuring two others on the University of Virginia campus in 2022 has taken a guilty plea deal.
Christopher Jones Jr., the alleged shooter, was set to appear in court for a jury trial in January 2025. But on Wednesday, Jones pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, and five counts for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to his lawyer.
The three victims killed in the shooting were University of Virginia football players Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry. They were shot and killed inside a charter bus with a group that had gone on a field trip to see a play in Washington, D.C.
Two others, fellow football player Mike Hollins and student Marlee Morgan, were wounded in the shooting. Hollins made a full recovery and returned to the playing field last year.
The UVA community came together only a few days ago for the two-year anniversary of the tragedy.
“I think the power of hope is the fact that we are still moving. We didn’t allow that moment to define us as a university,” said Rakeem Walker, the university’s president for student affairs. “It’s unfortunate the tragedy that happened but we are still progressing as a university.”
After the plea deal, Jones’ lawyer said his next court date is set for Feb. 4.
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