The University of Virginia lifted a campus-wide lockdown Monday hours after three students were killed and two injured in a shooting rampage on a charter bus that had returned from a field trip. Killed were D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr., and Devin Chandler, all of whom played football at the school, university president Jim Ryan said. The sports world was shocked by the news as LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, and former Cavaliers stars Chris Long and Matt Schaub reacted to the incident, among others.
As the campus-wide lockdown lifted Monday, students, faculty, and community members gathered to remember the dead and reflect on the tragedy. Athletes from all corners came forward to virtually mourn the tragic event. They have sent thoughts and prayers all the way to UVA and expressed their concern about the terror.
A few of the tweets from the NFL stars are attached here for you:
Still can’t believe it. Don’t have the words. Hoping we can lean on each other.
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) November 14, 2022
Heartbreaking news outta Charlottesville this morning. Praying for the families, teammates and classmates of the young men. @UVAFootball @UVA 💔
— Oday Aboushi (@Oday_Aboushi76) November 14, 2022
💙🧡🙏🏾Please keep my uva family uplifted in prayer. Selfishly lord, please help guide my uva football brothers. Please keep them safe and near the cross. Thoughts and prayers to the entire Cville community 💙🧡🙏🏾
— Micah Kiser (@kiser_rollin) November 14, 2022
Prayers up for the UVA football team, students, family and Charlottesville community. We have to be better as people. This can’t continue to be our norm.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) November 14, 2022
My heart goes out to my #UVA football family and the victim families who were involved in the recent shooting late last night. Lord place your arms around their families, and friends to comfort them during this time. I pray for the young man who chose violence over peace.
— Rodney McLeod (@Rodney_McLeod4) November 14, 2022
Even the players outside the NFL community joined the mourning as legendary basketball players like LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes sent their condolences to the victims.
Prayers to @UVAFootball program and the families who lost their Young King's!! Sad Sad Sad 😢
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 14, 2022
Prayers for @UVAFootball 🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) November 14, 2022
NFL coaches have also expressed solidarity with the ones mourning the death of the youngsters.
As a father & coach, I am heartbroken by the news in Charlottesville. My thoughts & prayers are with Coach Elliott, UVA Football & the entire UVA community.
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) November 14, 2022
On behalf of the University of Oklahoma football Family, I send Prayers, love, & Support to Coach Elliott and the entire @UVAFootball family and University community. We are devastated and heartbroken for the families and everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy.
— Brent Venables (@CoachVenables) November 14, 2022
God bless our friends at the University of Virginia & @UVAFootball 💔
— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) November 14, 2022
We send our deepest condolences to the University of Virginia community and @UVAFootball program. Just a horrible tragedy
— Mike Leach (@Coach_Leach) November 14, 2022
Just like everyone, we pray and hope that this kind of incident doesn’t get repeated in the future. May the souls of the victims rest in peace!
