University of Virginia to release report on deadly shooting of football players by mid-March
VENN
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The University of Virginia (UVA) has announced that it plans to release the final report from an external review of the 2022 shooting that killed three football players by mid-March.
The university originally said it would release the report on the shooting, which occurred on a bus on Nov. 13, 2022, following completion of the criminal proceedings against the accused shooter, former UVA student Christopher Jones.
Jones pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and five counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. A sentencing hearing for Jones was scheduled to open on Feb. 4 in Albemarle County Circuit Court, but was since postponed until 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 17.
"Now that Jones has pled guilty in the 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delayed until late 2025, Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley has informed the University that he has withdrawn his concern that releasing the reports prior to sentencing would influence the outcome of the remainder of the criminal proceedings," the university said.
The university said it is preparing to release the final report to the public "by mid-March." It will reportedly contain redactions of private student information and sensitive public safety information.
UVA said it has shared the reports with the families of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry, the three students who were killed, as well as with the families of Michael Hollins Jr. and Marlee Morgan, two students who were seriously injured.
Once victims and families of the victims have had the opportunity to read the reports and meet with university officials, the university said it will then make the reports available to the public.
"The University will prioritize providing each of the families with the appropriate time needed to process the reports but also respects the broader desire of the community to receive them," the university said.
