Man who shot and killed University of Virginia football players sentenced to 5 life terms

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Former University of Virginia (UVA) student Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., who shot three of the school’s football players to death in 2022, was sentenced to the maximum of five life terms, plus 23 years, on gun charges Friday.

Jones reportedly apologized to the victims' families at the courthouse, saying, "I'm sorry. I caused so much pain," according to Charlottesville-based outlet Cville Right Now. 

Last year, Jones pleaded guilty to the murder of D'Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and five counts of use of a gun in the commission of a felony. A fourth team member, Mike Hollins, and another student, Marlee Morgan, sustained injuries.

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A booking photo released by the Henrico County Sheriff's Office shows Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., who was arrested on Nov. 14, 2022, in the fatal shooting of three football players at the University of Virginia.  (Henrico County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Jones previously joined the UVA football team as a walk-on true freshman in 2018 but never played in a game. After leaving the team, he remained enrolled at the university as a student. 

Then came the day of the murders. 

While riding back to campus from a school trip on a charter bus in the hours before the shooting, Jones texted an adult mentor, stating, "Tonight I’m either going to hell or jail. I’m sorry," according to a summary prosecutors read in court Wednesday. The Associated Press obtained a draft copy of the summary.

UVA TO PAY $9 MILLION TO FAMILIES OF VICTIMS IN 2022 SHOOTING THAT KILLED 3 FOOTBALL PLAYERS, WOUNDED 2