At least three people were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting at the University of Virginia’s main campus in Charlottesville on Sunday, local authorities said.
The campus was placed on lockdown and the suspect, identified as Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. – a student and former football player a school student – remains at large, according to university president Jim Ryan.
Authorities said multiple police departments are actively searching for Jones Jr, who was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket/hoodie, blue jeans, and red shoes. Police said he could be driving a black SUV with Virginia tag TWX3580.
University officials have urged everyone on campus to seek safety.
“We have all received several shelter-in-place texts, and they are frightening,” UVA vice president Robyn Hadley said in an email to UVA’s student body, adding that the situation remains active.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a statement saying they are praying for the school community.
The motive behind the shooting is not yet known.
