University of Virginia Rector Robert Hardie and President Jim Ryan announced Friday the release of the redacted reports from the external review of the Nov. 13, 2022, shooting on UVA Grounds.
UVA has shared the reports with the families of the student-athletes who were killed – Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry – and also with Michael Hollins Jr. and Marlee Morgan, two students who were seriously wounded. Hollins has since graduated. The incident happened on a bus returning students from a field trip. The University has also shared the reports with the students and others who were on the bus that evening.
In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 shooting, Ryan and then-Rector Whitt Clement asked Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares to appoint external counsel to independently review the circumstances that led to the shooting, and the University’s emergency response.
The review resulted in reports by the law firms of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, and Vinson & Elkins. The reviews were conducted separately from the criminal investigation and together offer an analysis of the information available to the University about Christopher Jones, the since-convicted gunman and a UVA student at the time, prior to the shooting, as well as an analysis of the law enforcement response to the shooting.
The University previously committed to release the reports upon completion of the criminal proceedings against Jones. Now that Jones has pled guilty in the criminal case and his sentencing has been delayed until late 2025, Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley has informed the University that he has withdrawn his concern that releasing the reports prior to sentencing would influence the outcome of the remainder of the criminal proceedings.
“While the release of the reports has been contingent on the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, the fact of the matter is we have not stood still,” Hardie said. “With sorrow for the tragic loss of life that the families and our community have experienced and resolve that they never be forgotten, the University has taken significant steps to enhance the safety of Grounds.”
“Throughout, the University’s goals have been to gain as much clarity around this horrific day in our history that took the lives of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry, seriously injured Michael Hollins and Marlee Morgan, and traumatized many in our community,” Ryan said. “These reports represent an independent, third-party review of the events. As threat assessment experts will tell you, and as the reports make clear, no process can anticipate or prevent every act of violence. With that said, the reports also make clear that there are areas that could be strengthened. We began making those changes well before receiving the reports.”
The reports detail a number of steps to improve safety on Grounds, many of which were underway before the receipt of the reports. Below are several actions the University has taken:
- Expanded Threat Assessment Team Resources to include two full-time, licensed psychologists to serve as the associate and assistant directors of the Office of Threat Assessment; two response specialists; Housing & Residence Life representation; and a Victim Advocate/Threat Assessment Team liaison from the University Police Department.
- Established an Office of Threat Assessment to more effectively lead the Violence Prevention Committee and execute the case-management recommendations of the Threat Assessment Team.
- Enhanced Threat Assessment Team operating procedures and training opportunities, including the immediate investigation by the University Police Division if a firearm is reported to be on Grounds or in the possession of an individual who lives on Grounds.
- Increased training and staff awareness on entering a dorm room to inspect for health and safety-related concerns.
- Approved a permanent Emergency Operations Center to allow the University to activate the center without delay in response to emergency events.
- Reorganized Student Affairs support resources – now known as the Care and Support Services, and Policy, Accountability and Critical Events units – to better discuss, review, triage and respond to student concerns and any necessary disciplinary actions.
Additionally, UVA has supported legislation since 2023 in the Virginia General Assembly to make possession of a firearm on college campuses a criminal act, rather than a violation that is enforced only through University policies. The University will continue to advocate for such legislative solutions.
A comprehensive list of University actions to date is available here.
In a community message sent Friday morning, Ryan added, “I know that this information will not provide answers to all of your questions, nor does it answer all of mine. It doesn’t ease the pain of losing beloved members of our community, and it doesn’t lessen the grief felt so deeply by the victims’ families and friends. It doesn’t undo the pain and trauma of those who were injured, of those who witnessed the shooting, and of those who continue to grapple with all that has happened. I can promise that we will continue to honor and remember Devin, Lavel, and D’Sean, whose lives and legacies will never be forgotten at UVA. We will continue to support the members of our community who were most directly affected by these events. And we will do everything within our power to promote the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”
The external review resulted in two final reports. To comply with federal study privacy regulations, the reports contain necessary redactions to mark out private student information required by federal law, as well as operational details of safety and security plans.
Jones, the convicted gunman, declined the University’s request to waive his federal student privacy protections, therefore significant portions of the reports were required to be redacted. An executive summary, prepared by the University, accompanies the redacted reports to help readers better understand the contents of the reports. These reports are housed on a dedicated website.
