Virginia Football Players Killed In Shooting Given Posthumous Degrees

The University of Virginia has awarded posthumous degrees to three football players that were fatally shot last month.

The University of Virginia has awarded posthumous degrees to three football players that were fatally shot last month.

Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry were shot and killed while returning from a field trip to Washington D.C. by the suspect, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.

All three students were a part of the College of Arts & Sciences. An Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs Rachel Most made the request.


Davis majored in African American and African studies; Perry double majored in studio art and in African American and African studies; Chandler majored in American studies.

Jones was a student and former member of the football team attending the trip. He is currently in a Charlottesville jail without the option of bail.

Prosecutors are charging him with three counts of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in addition to, two counts of malicious wounding and additional gun-related charges. A status hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

UVA Athletic Director Carla Williams called it “a great honor to be a part of presenting these diplomas to the families of Devin, Lavel and D’Sean.”