Tragedy struck Charlottesville, Virginia, late Sunday night when three University of Virginia football players were killed and two other students were injured in an on-campus shooting. Juniors Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry lost their lives in a shooting on a charter bus returning to campus from a field trip.
The suspect, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., is in custody. He was a freshman running back for the Cavaliers in 2018.
“Let me say how deeply sorry I am for the victims and for their family and friends,” University of Virginia president Jim Ryan said Monday, according to ESPN. “… This is an unimaginably sad day for our community. The entire university community is grieving this morning. My heart is broken for the victims and their families and for all those who knew and loved them, and they are all in my prayers.”
As news of the tragedy broke, the sports world took to Twitter to express their devastation and to offer prayers for all involved.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of UVA student-athletes Lavel Davis Jr, Devin Chandler, and DβSean Perry.
The three young men were tragically murdered on Monday morning on the University of Virginia Campus. pic.twitter.com/jiLNPoyXau
— Inside The Hashes (@InsideHashes) November 14, 2022
Our program is heartbroken for UVA, the victimβs families,loved ones and the entire community of Charlottesville. Our prayers are with all involved.
— Jamey Chadwell (@CoachChadwell) November 14, 2022
Saddening, saddening news this morning. God took one of his most kind, humble, loving soldiers off of the battlefield last night.
Please pray for my family as we are devastated by the passing my cousin Lavel Davis Jr.
Love and already miss you, kid. @LDJxlll pic.twitter.com/Sj0cIgPB81
— Coach Sean Lampkin (@Coach_Lampkin) November 14, 2022
I loved Lavel Davis.
Just a great kid. Wanted to be a great football player. Fought so hard to overcome an injury and get back on the field.
DβSean Perry was a rising star. He had a chance to be special too.
Prayers to the families of these kids. Praying hard for everyone. ππ» pic.twitter.com/Ym9eCOLYj4
— John Vogel (@DraftVogel) November 14, 2022
Prayers for @UVAFootball ππ½ππ½
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) November 14, 2022
Sending prayers to the whole UVA communityππΌ
— willshipley1.eth (@willshipley2021) November 14, 2022
OMG what tragedy at β¦@UVAβ© -heartbreaking news / 3 football players were fatally shot by an ex football walk on . My prayers go out to the families of those that tragically lost their lives .πππalso to the UVA community . https://t.co/pcnIZdLTbR
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 14, 2022
Hugh Freeze opens his press conference sending his prayers to #UVa after Sunday eveningβs tragic events pic.twitter.com/kdzq7UhO6t
— Damien Sordelett (@DamienSordelett) November 14, 2022
Prayers for the entire University of Virginia and their football program.. Please end the gun violence ππ½ππ½ππ½
— Damien Harris (@DHx34) November 14, 2022
This is absolutely horrific… Please continue to keep our UVA community, friends, and family in your prayers. We need it now more than ever πππΌπ§‘
I pray for the victims and their families and friends right now as they go through an extremely heartbreaking time right now ππΌπ— Samantha Brunelle (@SamBrunelle_33) November 14, 2022
May God lay a hand over the entire UVA community and those I know during this heartbreaking tragedy. Prayers for the safety of all in the area. πππΎ #ChantsForHoos
— Devon Doyle (@Coach_D13) November 14, 2022
Prayers up for the UVA football team, students, family and Charlottesville community. We have to be better as people. This canβt continue to be our norm.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) November 14, 2022
Prayers to all of UVA and the families affected. Football is not our life or identity, but teaches us life lessons and to identify/love each other. Heavy hearts for those in Charlottesville. ππ»
— Josh Aldridge (@CoachA_LU) November 14, 2022
Awful news from Charlottesville β¦
Thoughts and prayers to the entire @UVA community , the @WoodlandHighSC community & all others impacted by this tragic event
π
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) November 14, 2022
Please join us in praying that the families and friends of the victims, the suspect and the Virginia community as a whole would sense God’s presence in the midst of these unbelievably tragic events.