Charlottesville, Virginia – The University of Virginia has agreed to a $9 million settlement with the families of the victims of a tragic campus shooting in 2022 that resulted in the deaths of three university football players and the injury of two other students. The settlement was announced by attorney Kimberly Wald, representing some of the families, on Friday.
As part of the settlement, the families of D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler, and Lavel Davis Jr. will each receive $2 million, the maximum amount allowed under Virginia law. Additionally, a total of $3 million will be paid to the two students who were wounded in the shooting, Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan.
While the settlement has been reached, some families are demanding the immediate release of an independent investigation conducted last year into the shooting. The investigation focused on the actions taken by the university to assess the threat posed by the suspect, a student who was later charged with murder, and the recommendations made based on the findings.
The alleged shooter, identified as Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., was a student at UVA and a former member of the school’s football team. Wald, representing Perry’s estate, stated that the university should have taken steps to remove the suspect from campus prior to the attack due to concerning behavior patterns that were displayed.
University officials had initially delayed the release of the investigation report due to concerns about impacting the suspect’s trial. However, UVA President Jim Ryan assured that the report would be made public once it would not interfere with legal proceedings.
The settlement was negotiated outside of court and required approval from a judge, which was granted by a judge in Albemarle County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares also approved the agreements.
In a statement, UVA officials expressed their sorrow over the loss of the three students and highlighted the lasting impact they had on the university community. The tragic incident took place when the suspect returned to campus from a field trip, sparking panic and a 12-hour lockdown until his arrest.
Following the shooting, the university initiated an external review of its safety policies and response protocols, acknowledging that the suspect had been on the radar of the threat-assessment team. The report was completed in October but its release was postponed to avoid influencing the suspect’s trial.
The victims’ families continue to seek transparency and answers regarding the events leading up to the shooting. Despite the settlement, the emotional toll on the families remains profound, with one mother emphasizing the importance of understanding what transpired for the sake of public safety and national security.