Tony Elliott gets emotional discussing the past 48 hours since deadly shooting at UVA

It’s been more than 36 hours since tragedy struck the University of Virginia campus. Three football players — wide receiver Devin Chandler, wide receiver Lavel Davis and linebacker D’Sean Perry — were killed in a shooting late Sunday night, and it’s made for a rough couple days for Tony Elliott and the program.

“It feels like it’s a nightmare, to be honest with you,” Elliott told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “And I’m ready for somebody to pinch me and wake me up and say that this didn’t happen. It’s been a long, I don’t even know how long it’s been since it happened. The minutes can’t go by fast enough.”

The incident occurred late Sunday night as students were returning home from a field trip. Former UVA player Chris Jones opened fire, killing the three football players and injuring another student and one more player, running back Mike Hollins. Hollins underwent a second surgery Tuesday morning to look for more damage the bullet might have done after doctors removed the bullet Monday. Jones, meanwhile, was taken into custody Monday.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Elliott spoke about the emotions he and the program are feeling while also describing the process to get through such a tragic situation.

“My heart’s hurting right now for our university, our community, the team, the players, the families, the young men whose families have been impacted the most. That’s where my thoughts are at this time, trying to provide all the resources and support that I possibly can,” Elliott said. “I have to acknowledge the strength of our players and the staff at this time in coming together to work to process what has taken place. Just like many of you all and many of those that are very close to the situation, still in shock, trying to rationalize, but also, find encouragement and community with those that have come out in and also those internally who have banded together to try and figure out how we move forward after going through a situation like this.

“Again, just heartfelt sympathies go out to the players, their families, their communities I think beyond our communities but also communities in other states have been impacted by the loss of three beautiful, young human beings that had an unbelievable future ahead of them. The message to the team is we’re going to celebrate those lives going forward and the impact that they’ve made thus far and the legacy that they’re going to be a part of helping us establish going forward.”

Tony Elliott: Tuesday ‘started how the last two days have started, but it ended a lot better’

Elliott said the team has met multiple times since the shooting to grieve the losses of their teammates. The university is helping provide counseling, and he said the staff and players are also doing all they can to help each other. Once they found out about the shooting, Elliott said he got the team together as soon as he was able to so they could start the grieving process.

Monday, he said, wasn’t easy. Although Tuesday started out like Monday did, things ended better.

“The approach with the team is when we were given the clear to communicate,” Elliott said. “We immediately got the team together and just started the process of grieving together and fellowshipping and trying to make sure that nobody was isolated, that everybody was together. Pooled all the resources that we could from a counseling standpoint to give these young men the support that they need. The first meeting was really, really tough. Really, really … really tough.

“Today was much better. We were able to transition from the pain to finding a little bit of joy in celebrating the lives of Lavel, D’Sean and Devin. Today probably started how the last two days have started, but it ended a lot better. I think the guys are on the road to healing but it’s going to take some time and our approach is to keep them together as much as we possibly can, to make sure we have eyes on them because nothing can prepare you for this situation, and we just want to be there to support the guys. We’re slowly trying to process it and move forward, but we’re looking for the positive and keeping close reigns on each other so we can grieve together.”

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.