CNN
—
The University of Virginia’s main campus in Charlottesville is on lockdown following reports of a shooting as authorities search for a suspect believed to be armed and dangerous, according to the University of Virginia Police Department.
The campus was advised to shelter-in-place around 10:40 p.m. following a shooting reported on Culbreth Road, police tweeted.
It is unclear if there are any injuries or fatalities at this time.
The suspect, later identified by police as Christopher Darnell Jones, is believed to be armed and dangerous. He’s described as wearing a burgundy jacket with blue jeans and red shoes, and is driving a black SUV, according to police.
Jones is listed on the university’s athletics website as a football player in 2018, who as a freshman did not participate in any games. It is unclear if he is still a student at UVA.
CNN has reached out to campus police for more information.
UVA vice president and chief student affairs officer Robyn S. Hadley told students to “take the shelter in place commands seriously as the situation remains active.”
“We have all received several shelter in place texts, and they are frightening,” Hadley said in an email to UVA’s student body.
“I am on grounds like many of you; I am sheltering in place and in direct touch with University leadership and UPD … If you are not inside and safe, immediately seek safety,” Hadley said, adding that multiple police jurisdictions were working to locate the suspect.
This is a developing story and will be updated.