Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.: A Former Football Player Turned Killer

On November 13th 2022, an unfortunate shooting at the University of Virginia (UVA) campus claimed three football players’ lives and injured two others. Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was an ex-footballer facing discipline from UVA for concealing prior weapons convictions; yet somehow managed to evade security measures with ease in order to acquire a firearm and shoot his victims without detection. This article attempts to address these questions as well as shed some light on his background and personality.

A Promising Athlete with a Troubled Past

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., commonly referred to as Chris Jones, was born June 15, 2000 in Richmond, Virginia to Christopher Darnell Jones Sr. and Latasha Jones who divorced when he was young. Chris attended Highland Springs High School where he excelled athletically – playing both wide receiver and defensive back for both football and basketball teams, helping win two state championships; additionally his GPA stood at 3.5 while his SAT score reached 1200; popular among his classmates and teachers as being friendly, respectful, and hard working – as well as being popular among students himself.

Jones also had an unfortunate side. He was involved in multiple fights and altercations on and off the field, often acting with aggression when provoked. Furthermore, his history of drug use and possession led to his arrest in 2019 where he was charged with possessing marijuana as well as concealing a Glock 19 pistol; upon plea bargaining he received a suspended sentence of six months in jail with two years probation plus drug counseling and community service requirements.

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. secured a walk-on spot on UVA football team despite legal troubles in 2020 as a walk-on player, hoping to fulfill his dreams of NFL play while making his family proud. He received jersey number 81 and served as backup wide receiver; appearing in four games during his freshman year but without recording any statistics; continuing play during sophomore year but seeing limited action due to COVID-19 pandemic and emerging other talented receivers; however, becoming increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with both roles on team and academic performance due to limited opportunities afforded him by teammates; which led him into disillusioned frustration as he felt overshadowed by peers; hence becoming disillusioned with both roles on team as well as academic performance, feeling that opportunities were being denied him; while other talented teammates overshadowing him; ultimately leaving UVA football as one of its strongest teams and academic performances being left behind compared with rival schools like Virginia’s football program being left behind the competition from rivals Virginia’s football program with its team, but losing him due to COVID-19 pandemic pandemic outbreak, saw limited action due to limited action during second year; only limited playing due to pandemic pandemic being limited due to COVID-19 pandemic and continued limited action during second year due to other talented receivers appearing more prominent due to COVID-19 pandemic having caused reduced action playing both ways through sophomore year when limited action due to COVID 19 pandemic pandemic and emerging talented receivers like other receivers coming through after only seeing limited action due emergence with other talented receivers emerging, leaving them after having limited action but continued until midway and due emergence becoming frustrated and continued action due to being overshadowing other talented receivers emerging and other talented receivers emerging players emerging and other talented receivers emerging due other talented receivers appearing with another year due other receivers emerging but further playing due limited actions limited participation saw limited action due to emerging receivers appearing limited action saw limited playing time being limited play saw more limited play being limited action seen limited plays seeing limited action; becoming disillusionary being so continued playing because they became limited, leaving out when seeing limited action due to COVID 19 pandemic playing so quickly because other received less playing reduced action due to other receiving limited action due COVID 19 pandem; become frustrated and seeing limited due to COVID 19 pandem than expected due emergence emerging after playing until seeing limited due to COVID pandeming emerging during remaining. became frustrated feeling overshadowing.

A Deadly Rampage on Campus

On November 13, 2022, Jones took matters into his own hands by procuring an illegal gun from an unknown source and sneaking it onto UVA campus. He waited for his targets to return from a field trip organized by the UVA Black Student Alliance which included visiting Washington D.C.’s Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; approximately 50 students including several football players took part.

At 10:30 pm on March 21, Jones boarded a charter bus parked inside Culbreth Garage near UVA Drama Building and headed straight backward. When he got there he saw Lavel Davis Jr. sitting behind him; Lavel had worn jersey number 81 since his freshman season when Jones first started mentoring and helping adjust him to college life. Lavel had become his primary target – though not immediately.

Jones shot Davis in the head and killed him instantly before turning his gun on D’Sean Perry, a sophomore linebacker who was sitting directly across from him. Perry had contributed significantly to defense as an essential contributor, recording 35 tackles and two sacks over his career; furthermore he served as a leader and role model on and off the field, being involved with various community service and social justice initiatives. Jones fatally wounded Perry by shooting him in his chest with his gun.

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. exited his bus and ran towards another one parked nearby, when he encountered Devin Chandler, a junior receiver who was walking towards the garage exit. Chandler was an effective receiver who had caught 42 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns during his career; in addition, he held dual majors in media studies and music as well as playing the saxophone with UVA Marching Band saxophonist Jim Sutter’s UVA Marching Band marching band. Jones shot Chandler directly in the neck killing him instantly on sight.

Jones fired randomly at other students fleeing the scene, striking Mike Hollins a sophomore running back in his leg and Marlee Morgan an engineering freshman in her arm – both were taken for treatment to UVA Medical Center and survived their injuries.

Jones then ran from the garage towards UVA Corner, an area with shops and restaurants near campus. UVA police officers had responded to 911 calls from witnesses regarding Jones. After exchanging gunfire with them for some time, eventually cornering and subduing him he was arrested without further incident or resistance from Jones or speaking up against being taken into custody by them.

A Shocking Motive and a Lingering Mystery

Jones’ motive remains unknown. According to his father, Jones had called earlier that day and appeared normal when talking about loving and seeing them on Thanksgiving. There was no mention of guns or plans to hurt anyone during this phone conversation or any note or message left by him explaining his actions.

Some of his former teammates and friends speculated that Jones may have been suffering from mental health issues, including depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to them, he had struggled with making the transition from high school to college as well as racism and discrimination on campus; furthermore he felt betrayed and jealous by fellow receivers like Davis who took his place and took away his spot number and spot number on the team.

However, none of Jones’ claims have been corroborated or proven with evidence or testimony. Furthermore, Jones has refused to cooperate with investigators or prosecutors and remains silent and unresponsive during any interviews or conversations related to these charges against him. Having pleaded not guilty for all these accusations against him, Jones now awaits trial, which could include life imprisonment or even capital punishment should he be found guilty.

The case has shaken both UVA’s community and nation to its core. It has raised important questions about campus security, gun control, mental health care and violence prevention; while inspiring an outpouring of grief from students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans of UVA football. UVA football team players have dedicated this season to honor the memory of those lost; wearing stickers with initials or numbers as a tribute; holding vigils ceremonies and fundraisers to support families and friends of fallen players as a tribute; dedicating their season as tribute.

UVA football team has demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage since the tragic shooting that claimed two of their teammates on November 2, 2018, winning six out of seven games since and qualifying for ACC Championship Game; hopes to claim first conference championship since 1995 and qualify for College Football Playoff; believes best way to honor lost brothers by competing hard, playing together and playing for them.