The accused gunman who was to face trial for fatally shooting three University of Virginia football players in 2022 and wounding two other students pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and five counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony in Albemarle County Circuit Court.
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former student, faces a maximum punishment of five life terms plus 23 years. The court scheduled a four-day sentencing hearing to begin Feb. 4.
The guilty pleas conclude one portion of the criminal proceedings that stemmed from the gunfire on a chartered bus on Nov. 13, 2022, when student-athletes Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. and several classmates were returning to Grounds from a field trip. Jones was also aboard and opened fire just after the bus parked near the Culbreth Road parking garage, killing the football players and wounding two others.
Mike Hollins, also a football player, was wounded, but survived. Student Marlee Morgan was wounded and later recovered.
“Today’s proceedings represent another step in a lengthy and painful journey for the families of the victims and for our community,” UVA President Jim Ryan said. “We continue to grieve the loss of three beloved members of our community and the injuries suffered by others on the bus.”
Under Virginia law, the sentencing portion of the case is a separate proceeding from the court’s acceptance of the guilty plea. Judge Cheryl Higgins asked Jones if he understood there was no sentencing agreement, and his ultimate sentence would be up to the court. Jones agreed. The judge ordered a pre-sentence report to guide her decision.
University leaders have committed to release copies of an external review, commissioned by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, and plan to provide the documents to the public after sentencing is final in February.
