Charlottesville, Virginia – After a tragic shooting on the University of Virginia campus in 2022, the families of three students who lost their lives will receive a settlement of $6 million from the university and the state. The families of D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr., and Devin Chandler each will be awarded $2 million following the approval of settlements by a local Circuit Court Judge. The settlements come as a small measure of closure amidst the ongoing grief experienced by the families.
According to spokesperson Brian Coy, no lawsuit was filed in the aftermath of the shooting, which took place as U-Va. students returned from a class trip. The families’ attorney, Elliott Buckner, expressed that while the settlements do not alleviate the families’ pain, they do mark the resolution of potential civil claims against the university and the state. In a statement, U-Va. President James E. Ryan and Rector Robert Hardie honored the memories of the three students, highlighting their positive impact on the university community.
The shooting incident occurred as the students were returning from a trip, and resulted in the tragic loss of Perry, Davis Jr., and Chandler. The perpetrator, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., has been charged with murder and is awaiting a jury trial scheduled for January. Prior to the shooting, university officials had been made aware of Jones’ concerning behavior, including reports that he possessed a gun.
Following the shooting, U-Va. requested an independent review by the state to investigate the incident. While the review has been completed, its release has been delayed until after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. The delay has left families like that of D’Sean Perry anxious for answers, as they seek closure and understanding regarding the events that led to their loved ones’ untimely deaths.
Despite the delay in the release of the report, U-Va. President James E. Ryan has assured that information will be provided to the families and the public as soon as possible. The university remains committed to transparency and ensuring that the victims’ families have the answers they seek to move forward in their healing process. The tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of campus safety and the need for vigilant threat assessment measures to prevent such incidents in the future.