UVA delays shooting report, mentioning criminal case

Nov 17, 2023, 01:46 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va.– University of Virginia authorities stated Friday they were further postponing the general public release of the findings of an investigation into the occasions surrounding a 2022 school shooting that killed three student-athletes and injured two other students.Citing issue about the effect the findings could have on the suspect’s pending trial, UVA said in a press release that it would not make a” redacted “version of the last report public up until “after the criminal procedures.”

“Making the report public at this time, or perhaps releasing a summary of their findings and recommendations, might have an effect on the criminal trial of the implicated, either by interrupting the case being prepared by the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney, or by disrupting the defendant’s right to a reasonable trial before an unbiased jury,” UVA president Jim Ryan said in a statement.Ryan stated the university had spoken with Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Lawyer Jim Hingeley in reaching the decision.Hingeley stated in a statement released by the

school that he had not seen the report however was appreciative of “the University’s efforts to prevent taking any action that could make complex the prosecution of the implicated, Christopher Jones, or hinder his right to a fair and neutral trial.”UVA revealed about a month ago that the investigation was done and that it would be talked about with UVA’s Board of Visitors and those most affected by the shooting before being launched openly, possibly by early November.Jones was a UVA student and former member of the school’s football team when authorities state he fatally shot three members of

the team as they and others returned by charter bus to school from an expedition to see a play in Washington in November 2022. 2 other trainees were hurt, among them likewise a football player.The violence that erupted near a parking garage set off a 12-hour lockdown of the school till the suspect was captured.Jones is charged with aggravated murder, exacerbated destructive wounding and firearms-related counts, according to court records, which show his next court hearing remains in February.Within days of the shooting,

university leaders requested an outside evaluation to examine UVA’s security policies and treatments, its reaction to the violence and its previous efforts to examine the prospective hazard of Jones.

School authorities acknowledged he formerly was on the radar of the university’s threat-assessment team.Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares approved the ask for the probe, appointing outside counsel to perform a review.Miyares’ workplace has likewise declined to launch the report.