The University of Virginia has reached a settlement of $9 million with the families of the victims affected by the tragic 2022 mass shooting.
However, while this financial compensation provides some closure, the families emphasize that their quest for justice is far from over.
The settlement follows an investigation into the university’s response to the shooting, which claimed the lives of three football players and left two other students injured.
Attorney Kimberly Wald, representing some of the families, stressed the need for transparency and immediate release of the independent probe’s findings.
Wald views the settlement as just the beginning of a larger effort to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Under the terms of the agreement, each family will receive $2 million, the maximum allowable under Virginia State law.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares authorized the settlement, expressing gratitude for the positive impact the slain players had on the university community.
However, Happy Perry, the mother of one of the victims, emphasized the importance of releasing the investigation report for the sake of public safety. She urged for transparency and accountability from the university to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Brenda Hollins, the mother of one of the wounded students, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the university’s response to the tragedy.
Wald reiterated the families’ demands for answers, stressing on the importance of understanding what happened and why, in order to implement necessary changes and prevent future tragedies.
