The final page has turned on one of the most devastating chapters in the University of Virginia’s history. In a courtroom filled with tearful family members, athletes, and community members, former student Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was formally sentenced for the 2022 shooting that claimed the lives of three UVA football players: Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry.

Jones, who pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of malicious wounding for injuring two other students, received five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by an additional 18 years. The sentencing, handed down by the judge, represented the maximum penalty allowed, a decision that brought a degree of finality to a tragedy that shook the campus and resonated nationwide.

The victims—Chandler, a wide receiver; Davis Jr., a wide receiver; and Perry, a linebacker—were not just athletes; they were students, sons, brothers, and friends whose lives were cut short while returning from a field trip. The shooting occurred on a charter bus just hours after the group had traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch a play.

During the sentencing, the true weight of the loss was communicated through raw, emotional victim impact statements. Family members spoke directly to the court, detailing the immense, irreparable void left by the murders. They described the vibrant futures stolen, the missed milestones, and the ongoing trauma inflicted upon the survivors and the broader community. These statements underscored that the case was never simply about statistics or legal proceedings; it was about the profound devastation inflicted upon Black families and a campus community that lost three bright young men of color.

The prosecution successfully argued for the maximum penalty, emphasizing the calculated and horrific nature of the crime. Evidence presented confirmed that Jones, a former UVA football player himself, opened fire on his former teammates and fellow students in a senseless act of violence. The shooting also injured running back Mike Hollins and student Marlee Hailey, who were later released from the hospital.

For the families of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D'Sean Perry, the sentence provides a measure of accountability, ensuring that Jones will never again walk free. However, no amount of justice can ever truly replace the men they lost. The court’s decision closes the legal chapter on Jones, but the legacy of the three young men—and the continued impact of the violence on their teammates and loved ones—will remain a powerful and somber reminder of the night that changed the University of Virginia forever.