Three students were fatally shot by a gunman, and two others were wounded on a bus in the parking lot of the University of Virginia campus on Sunday night.
The three slain students were members of the school’s football team.
Police immediately identified the gunman as Christopher Darnell Jones Jr, a student at the university and former football player at the school, who apparently had never played in a game.
The gunman was not immediately caught, and students were warned to shelter in place as the shooter was armed and dangerous.
Jim Ryan, President of the University of Virginia, reported the incident in an email to students and staff early Monday morning, informing them that three people had been killed and two were injured and receiving medical attention.
“This is a message any leader hopes never to have to send,” he said, “and I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia.”
The incident occurred at around 10:30 pm when the students were returning from an organized trip off campus.
Jones was apprehended and arrested on Monday, after an overnight manhunt.
He is facing three second-degree murder charges, two malicious bodily injury charges, and five charges of the use of a firearm in a felony.
Police say that one of the victims was shot while he was asleep and that the students were targeted.
Jones is being held without bond. A hearing is scheduled for December 8.
The victims were later identified as football team players Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D’Sean Perry. One of the wounded is in critical condition and another is reportedly stable.
The motive for the attack is still unclear.