Students Honor Slain Classmates: ‘May Your Beautiful Souls Rest Easy’

November 13, 2023 By Mike Mather, mike.mather@virginia.edu Mike Mather, mike.mather@virginia.edu

On Monday, one year after a gunman took the lives of student-athletes Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry, University of Virginia students, staff and faculty across Grounds grew quiet for a moment at 12:55 p.m. to honor their memories.

They gathered in crowds near the University Chapel at midday and stole away later for solitary moments at sunset. They clung to each other near the hand-painted memorial on Beta Bridge and placed flowers at the bronze memorials in Scott Stadium. They massed on the Lawn with families still in mourning and penned their thoughts on a banner bearing the players’ numbers: 1, 15, 41.

“Rest in peace.”

“Rest in power.”

“Forever in our hearts.”

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Student pausing for a moment at the memorial on the Legends Walk
(Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)
A student sitting by the memorial plaque on the Arts Grounds
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Students at the memorial on Beta Bridge
(Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)
Student signing the UVA Strong banners on the Lawn
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
The UVA Strong banner on the Lawn covered in handwritten messages
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Student outside the Rotunda praying during the rememberance ringing of the bells
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Three football players standing at the base of the stairs of Old Cabell Hall, the stairs are covered with tiny candles
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
A view from behind the gathering of students and university community looking upon Old Cabell Hall during the candlelit memorial service
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Media Contact

Mike Mather

Managing Editor University Communications