University Of Virginia Grants Posthumous Degrees To Three Student-Athletes Killed By Former Teammate 

Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr. [Photo Credit: KITV News]

University Of Virginia Grants Posthumous Degrees To Three Student-Athletes Killed By Former Teammate

The three football players who died in a campus shooting in November received posthumous degrees from the University of Virginia.

Lavel Davis Jr., a junior wide receiver for the Cavaliers football team, majored in African American and African studies. He was from South Carolina.

Devin Chandler, a sophomore wide receiver from Virginia Beach, majored in American studies. D’Sean Perry, a senior linebacker from Miami, double-majored in studio art and African American and African studies.

They received the degrees from the school’s College of Arts & Sciences Department, where they were all students.

UVA athletic director Carla Williams said in a statement that she was honored to present the diplomas to the families of the victims. She attended the students’ burials along with the football team and other school personnel.

Carla Williams said,

“It was a great honor to be a part of presenting these diplomas to the families of Devin, Lavel and D’Sean.”

The request for the student-athletes to earn their degrees was made by Rachel Most, assistant dean for undergraduate academic programs and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

As previously reported, student Christopher Darnell Jones is suspected in the shooting that left three members of the football team dead and two others injured.

UVA shooting suspect Christopher Darnell Jones

Jim Ryan, the president of the university, stated during a prior press conference that the shooting took place on a bus transporting students home from a field trip. Soon after, a campus-wide alert was sent out warning everyone at UVA to seek shelter in place since the suspect was still at large.

Christopher Darnell Jones was arrested on Nov. 14 and charged with three charges of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony, according to UVA Chief of Police Timothy Longo.

The other two students injured during the attack — Mike Hollins, a running back for the school’s football team, and Marlee Morgan — have since been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment.

The suspect reportedly played football for UVA at one point. He played tailback in 2018 but didn’t take part in any games, according to the school’s website.

An update on the active shooter incident at UVA: pic.twitter.com/LLshF8JJcR

— Jim Ryan (@presjimryan) November 14, 2022

In a previous email to students, University President Ryan said,

“I am heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities. … This is a message any leader hopes never to have to send, and I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia.”

theJasmineBRAND continues to send our thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr.!

[VIA]