Three dead in shooting near Culbreth garage at UVA; Suspect still at large with police search of Grounds ongoing at dawn
The incident is still under active investigation at publication time
Three people have been shot and killed at the University of Virginia at around 10:30 p.m. last night, and the suspect remains at large. President Jim Ryan announced early this morning there will be no class today and that people should remain sheltered in place while police conduct their investigation.
This November 14 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement provides a rundown of what happened and what is known at publication.
Here’s what we know so far:
Police continue to search for 28-year-old Chris Darnell Jones, who allegedly opened fire at around after ten p.m. last night on Culbreth Road
At least three people have died and two are wounded according to University of Virginia Police
Classes are canceled at UVA today according to UVA President Jim Ryan
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies were conducting a search “on and around Grounds" as dawn broke
NBC 29 reports that Charlottesville City Schools have announced they will be closed today
Police from multiple law enforcement agencies continue to search for a suspect in connection with a shooting last night that has left three dead and at lest two other wounded.
As dawn approaches, an alert from the University of Virginia states that “police agencies are conducting a complete search on and around UVA Grounds at this time. Expect increased law enforcement presence. Remain sheltered in place.”
The incident was announced at 10:31 p.m. by the University of Virginia Police Department on their twitter page with information about shots being fired at the Culbreth Garage.
Eight minutes later, a second tweet advised the shooting was reported on Culbreth Road with one suspect at large. At 10:42 p.m. a third tweet said “ACTIVE ATTACKER firearm reported in area of Culbreth Road. RUN HIDE FIGHT.”
Other updates repeated much of the same information at 10:56 p.m. and at 11:07 p.m. A description of the suspect was sent out at 11:09 p.m.
The same basic message was tweeted out periodically. At 11:35 p.m. people were told to reach out to friends and family to advise them of their status.
At 12:37 a.m. the UVA Police Department tweeted they were looking for Christopher Darnell Jones.
At 1:47 a.m. the suspect was said to be driving a black SUV with Virginia plates TWX3580. At 2:04 a.m. it was announced a larger investigation was underway.
The same basic message was sent out on Twitter, via email, and through text messages to people signed up for campus security alerts. At 4:34 a.m. the tweet announced that three people had been killed and two additional victims were injured. People were told to continue to remain sheltering in place.
UVA President Jim Ryan sent out a message to the University Community at 4:37 a.m. announcing the shooting.
“We are working closely with the families of the victims, and we will share additional details as soon as we are able,” Ryan wrote. “Our University Police Department has joined forces with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect, and we will keep our community apprised of developments as the situation evolves.”
Ryan said classes are canceled for today and only essential employees are required to go to work. He referred students and employees to counseling and psychological services.
Soon after the first tweet was announced, reporters descended on the scene to learn more. Here are some in chronological order.
At 6:09 a.m., Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin tweeted prayers for the UVA community.
“Virginia State Police is fully coordinating with UVA police department and local authorities,” Youngkin wrote. “Please shelter in place while the authorities work to locate the suspect.”
Youngkin also announced an emergency hotline for friends and family wanting to know more.
The shelter in place request remains in order at publication time at 6:45 a.m.
For more information, here are two other articles to read:
Three fatalities, two injuries reported following active shooter at Culbreth, Eva Surovell, Cavalier Daily, November 14, 2022
3 killed; 2 wounded at UVA; suspect still at large, Daily Progress, November 14, 2022
There will be further updates throughout the day.