The University of Virginia has agreed to pay $9 million in a settlement to the families of the victims of a 2022 campus shooting that killed three football players and wounded two other students. The families will receive $2 million each for the deceased victims and a total of $3 million will be given to the wounded students. However, some families are not satisfied and are demanding the release of an independent investigation into the shooting, which focused on the university’s assessment of the suspect’s threat and recommendations made.
The alleged shooter, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., was identified as a UVA student and former football team member. Attorney Kimberly Wald, representing some of the families, stated that the university should have taken action to remove the shooter from campus prior to the attack due to his erratic behavior displaying red flags. The settlement was reached outside of court negotiations and approved by a judge, the Virginia Governor, and Attorney General. University officials expressed their condolences for the victims and emphasized the impact they had on the community.
The shooting occurred when the suspect returned to campus after a field trip and sparked a 12-hour lockdown until he was apprehended. An outside investigation was commissioned by university officials to review campus safety policies, response procedures, and past assessments of the suspect. The report was delayed due to concerns about affecting the suspect’s trial, prompting calls from the victims’ families to release it for public safety and national security reasons.
Despite the settlement, some families still feel the pain and devastation caused by the shooting. Happy Perry, the mother of one of the victims, emphasized the importance of releasing the investigation report to prevent future incidents. Brenda Hollins, whose son was wounded in the shooting, shared her mixed emotions about the settlement and expressed how the trauma of the incident continues to affect the families. University officials have expressed remorse for the tragedy and acknowledged the lasting impact of the victims on the UVA community.
The settlement serves as a small step for the victims’ families, who continue to seek answers and closure regarding the shooting. The university’s commitment to providing information from the investigation once it will not interfere with the criminal proceeding reflects a balance between transparency and legal considerations. The tragic event highlighted the need for improved campus safety measures and threat assessment protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. By addressing the concerns of the victims’ families and releasing the investigation report, the University of Virginia can work towards healing and ensuring the safety of its students and staff.
