While the reports concluded that “no reasonable person” could have predicted the shooting, they raised concerns about the time it took to alert students and faculty of an active shooter. The reports also recommended that UVA improve support for students outside of the threat assessment process and add resources to improve the investigative capabilities of the university’s Threat Assessment Team.
Long-awaited report on 2022 UVA shooting determines the university waited too long to alert students
The 2022 shooting took the lives of three student athletes: Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry. Michael Hollins Jr. and Marlee Morgan sustained serious injuries. After being apprehended in 2022, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former UVA student, in 2024 pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The reports are heavily redacted — in some cases with several consecutive pages entirely blacked out. UVA had previously announced it would not release the reports in full and said the redactions are necessary “to mark out private student information required by federal law, as well as sensitive public safety information.” The reports cite multiple state and federal laws to explain the redactions.
After a yearslong wait and an expense to taxpayers of $1.5 million, according to The Daily Progress, many are still left without answers.
According to 13 News Now, Michael Haggard, an attorney representing the injured students and families of the deceased students called the extent of the redactions “frustrating.”
Happy Perry, mother of D’Sean Perry, told the Daily Progress in February after viewing the report, “There’s nothing in there. They taken everything out.” (Subscribers can read the full story here).
It’s unclear from the reports to what extent UVA was aware of a potential threat prior to the shooting. The television station WVTR in Richmond reports, citing a UVA spokesperson, that university officials in September 2022 investigated the possibility of Jones having a gun and became aware Jones had a prior conviction for a concealed weapons violation.
From the Cavalier Daily: Students react to a University without DEI
Following UVA’s decision earlier this month to dissolve its Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships, students and community members who previously worked with the office have seen some funding evaporate and are left wondering about the future of ongoing initiatives.
According to a report in The Cavalier Daily, some students who used diversity, equity and inclusion grants for student organizations and events have found that applications are closed or are no longer available. This has led to a decrease in volume of some student-sponsored events as well as reduced event planning support, students said.
UVA previously listed its Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights; Title IX Office and the American with Disabilities Act Office as parts of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion division. The division’s website is no longer live and redirects to UVA’s main website. However, the other offices are currently listed on the site for UVA’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.
UVA also created the Equity Center in 2019, which had expanded over the years to include fellowships, scholarships, college and career pipeline programs, summer camps and other youth-focused programming and research tools for advocates and professionals in the public and private sectors. The Center’s website is live but has been edited and is now titled The Center for Community Partnerships.
Stay safe and take care of each other,Â
Akash Sinha, Managing Editor
Thank you! We met — and surpassed — our 100 for 100 goal
Thank you to our now 105 sustaining supporters who are currently monthly donors as of the 100th day of our 20th anniversary year.
It’s not too late for you to join in with your monthly support and sustain local news for everyone in our community.
Charlottesville Tomorrow is hiring!
As journalists, community leaders, volunteers and passionate readers who believe that local news ecosystems should be strong, we are always looking to connect with people who want to do it better.
