3 killed in shooting at University of Virginia, former football player arrested

University of Virginia shooting

A University of Virginia student and former football player is accused of shooting and killing three current football players.

A University of Virginia student and former member of the school's football team fatally shot three current players as they returned from a field trip, authorities said.

University police said Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former football player at the school, was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

The shooting was initially reported around 10:30 p.m. Sunday when shots were fired in the Culbreth parking garage. Shortly after, a campus-wide alert was issued announcing the suspect was at large and telling all people at UVA to shelter in place.

Christopher Darnell Jones (UVA Police Department) 3 dead in UVA shooting

3 people are dead, and 2 people are injured after a shooting at the University of Virginia. Police named Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. a suspect in connection with the shootings. Jones is a former UVA football player.

Before his arrest police warned that he was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket/hoodie, blue jeans and red shoes. Police said he could be driving a black SUV with Virginia tag TWX3580.

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In a letter to campus, the university president said Jones was suspected to have committed the shooting. The campus emergency management's Twitter account said that he was believed to be wearing blue jeans and a burgundy jacket and driving a black SUV with Virginia tags.

"I am heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities; two additional victims were injured and are receiving medical care.  We are working closely with the families of the victims, and we will share additional details as soon as we are able," school president Jim Ryan wrote.

He went on to say, "I am holding the victims, their families, and all members of the University of Virginia community in my heart today, and we will make plans to come together as a community to grieve as soon as the suspect is apprehended."

The school canceled classes on Monday.

FOX News contributed to this report.