A part time University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student that had said some "concerning things" about the school's chancellor at a campus police station, was arrested the same day for bringing a hunting shotgun onto the campus and into a classroom, as reported by WKBT La Crosse News.
According to the City of La Crosse Police the unidentified student is facing charges of disorderly conduct with a weapon.
Chancellor J.G. commented, "It all happened very quickly. I was notified about it and the next thing you know, we apprehended this person."
On April 18 at approximately 9:30 in the morning the campus police informed the chancellor that a student "in a manic state" had made some "concerning" statements in the campus police station. The student mentioned the chancellor and one other person during his rant. Allegedly the student threatened that this other person, employed in the school's Student Life Office, "better stop calling my parents."
The student then left the police station and returned to his apartment, with officers following him.
Chancellor J.G. continued, "He left and somehow got back on campus and we had a report that a person had a gun case. The student was seen carrying a hunting shotgun on campus. He went into Cowley Hall and went into a classroom. At this point, campus police do not know why he entered the specific classroom."
Campus Police Chief S.R. said, "You never know if that student is armed (or) what the intention is, and there's not much communication coming from this individual. So the concern was that there could be some serious implications. So it was treated as though that person may intend to use the weapon."
The student was quickly located and apprehended by campus police. Police reported back to the chancellor that the gun was collected. The student had not loaded the weapon and he didn't have any ammunition.
The chancellor said, "It's a little unsettling. I've never had this happen in my career that anyone has named me, but I guess it comes with the territory. But I've never had any interaction with the student before."
At the time of the arrest a lock-down was being initiated on campus, however, the student was arrested faster than expected so it wasn't needed. Emailed notices and voice messages had been sent to alert all students, employees and others about the potential threat.
Police reported that no one was injured and that the university was safe. The incident allegedly took a total of 10 minutes from the original call through to the arrest.
The student's name has not been released by the university. S.R. stated that the student did not reside on campus. He further reported that the student was in the process of having a psychiatric evaluation.
Whatever the reason that you felt compelled to commit a crime, do yourself a favor and only contact a criminal defense attorney to defend you of any charges you are facing.
