Police are searching for Christopher Darnell Jones, a suspect in a shooting that killed three and injured two on the University of Virginia campus at Charlottesville (Picture: AP)

Police are searching for a suspected mass shooter who opened fire on a group on the University of Virginia’s main campus.

The suspect, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr, was identified as a student at the college, UVA President Jim Ryan stated in a message sent to students.

Jones is still at large, and is considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen wearing jeans and a burgundy jacket. He was driving a black SUV with Virginia license plates.

Jones was on the roster for UVA’s football team in 2018. He did not play in any games while on the team, according to the athletic department’s website.

A bus idles behind police tape during an active shooter situation at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (Picture: AP)

No information has been released about the victims yet. It is unclear if they were students or faculty at UVA.

‘I am heartbroken to report that the shooting has resulted in three fatalities,’ Ryan said. ‘Two additional victims were injured and are receiving medical care.’

The shootout took place around 10.30pm on Sunday night at a campus parking garage, authorities said.

UVA’s emergency management service sent out an alert to the campus around 10.40pm on Sunday night, warning of an ‘active attacker’ and issuing a ‘shelter in place’ order.

A police officer walks up Culbreath Road during an active shooter situation on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville (Picture: AP)

The school also cancelled all classes on Monday and asked only essential employees to come to work on campus.

Early on Monday morning, UVA told students and faculty that police were conducting a ‘complete search on and around UVA Grounds.’ The shelter in place order is still in effect as the search continues.

‘This is a message any leader hopes never to have to send, and I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia,’ Ryan said. ‘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.’

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The suspect, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr, was identified as a student at the college.