Former UW player dies in Virginia triple killing

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A former University of Wisconsin wide receiver was among the three people killed in a Sunday night shooting in Charlottesville, Virginia, authorities confirmed.

Devin Chandler, who transferred to the University of Virginia in the middle of last season, was one of three members of the Cavaliers football team who died in the shooting, which also injured two other individuals.

Chandler played four games for the Badgers during the 2020 season and was on the UW roster in 2021 before transferring six weeks into the season.

Following news of Chandler’s death, interim head coach Jim Leonhard paid tribute to one-time Badger wide receiver, saying, “(Chandler) had a lasting impact on his teammates, even after he left UW, which is a testament to the type of person he was.”

Following news of Chandler’s death, UW interim head coach paid tribute the one-time Badger wide receiver, saying, in part, “he had a lasting impact on his teammates, even after he left UW, which is a testament to the type of person he was.”

“His personality was infectious and he was a joy to be around,” the statement continued. “Our team is hurting for him and his family. I want to extend my condolences to his family and the Virginia football family.”

“His personality was infectious and he was a joy to be around,” Leonhard continued. “Our team is hurting for him and his family. I want to extend my condolences to his family and the Virginia football family.”

UW Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh described the university’s athletic department as “devastated” by the news of Chandler’s death, and said. “(i)t is heartbreaking and tragic that Devin’s young life was cut short by violence.”

McIntosh added the department would help in any way it can and is offering support and counseling services to any current-student athletes or athletic department staff members.

The two other UVA football players killed in the shooting were identified as wide receiver Lavel Davis, Jr., and linebacker D’Sean Perry. One of the two students who were injured is in critical condition, UVA President Jim Ryan stated, while the other was in good condition.

“The entire university community is grieving this morning,” a visibly strained Ryan said about the shootings. “My heart is broken for the victims and their families and for all those who knew and loved them.”

The shooting touched off an intense manhunt for the suspect, identified as Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr., with authorities conducting a building-by-building search of the campus while students sheltered in place. The lockdown order was lifted late Monday morning.

Jones, 22, was taken into custody without incident in suburban Richmond, police said.

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