CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the University of Virginia (UVA) campus early Monday morning.
UVA Police responded to reports of shots fired on the southern side of the Rotunda building shortly after 4:30 a.m. and located the deceased man, 13 News Now reports. Campus officials did not release his identity but confirmed in an email Monday morning that he was a 2019 UVA graduate.
The incident prompted the university to sent out an emergency alert shortly after 5 a.m., urging students to avoid the area as the investigation continued. Approximately an hour later, another alert said police were investigating a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that the weapon was secured.
“We understand this incident may cause distress to our community, especially given its proximity to where so many of us study, work, and live. We also know that the period surrounding end-of-semester exams can already be challenging – and we want to make sure you’re aware of the University’s resources to support students,” University Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Kenyon Bonner wrote in a release. “Please continue to look out for yourselves and for each other – and if you or anyone you know needs additional support, Student Health and Wellness has several Student Support resources available for our community.”
RELATED: UVA Releases Reports on 2022 Campus Shooting
Resources for students can staff can be found here. University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover said UVA Police will continue to provide updates on the incident as more information becomes available.
UVA experienced a deadly mass shooting in Nov. 2022. The shooting occurred on a charter bus in the Culbreth parking garage on campus. Students were returning from a class field trip to see a play in Washington, D.C., when 22-year-old student Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. opened fire. Killed in the shooting were students Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry, and Devin Chandler, all of whom were Jones’ former football teammates.
Two years later, Jones pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, and five counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
