2008 Woodie Awards
Felony weapon incidents reported
Shots fired near FMU; officials say campus is safe
Aidan McGuire
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: News
Two unrelated incidents involving felony weapon violations recently occurred at FMU, but university officials said the campus is safe.
"I think the campus is as safe as we can make it," said Darryl Bridges, vice president of student affairs. "It's safe relative to other universities and the Florence area if you look at crime statistics."
While on patrol Feb. 24, a campus police officer heard gunshots across U.S. 76, otherwise known as Palmetto Street. The shots were fired near the parking lot of Patriot Place Apartments, campus police Chief Richard Austin said.
When the officer arrived at the apartment complex, he spoke with a security guard and another witness who said he saw someone shooting from the rear driver's side of a black and silver Dodge Charger, Austin said.
Later that night at about 2 a.m., campus police stopped junior Randey Karshief Johnson's vehicle on campus after an officer noticed it matched the witness' description of the car involved in the shooting, Austin said.
Johnson cooperated with police during questioning and admitted he had a gun in his vehicle, according to reports. He denied being at the apartment complex.
Johnson was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a firearm on campus and posted $5,000 bond later that day.
He since has been suspended from the university for violating the student code of conduct regarding weapons on campus as outlined in the student handbook.
Two nonstudents traveling with Johnson also were arrested for public drunkenness.
A third passenger wasn't arrested.
In a separate incident on Feb. 22, a campus police officer stopped a vehicle when he noticed it didn't have a university decal.
The officer found that the car's two nonstudent occupants each were in possession of a handgun, Austin said.
Charlie Rollins of Montgomery, Ala., one of the occupants, carried a weapons permit from Alabama, but Austin said the permit is considered void under S.C. state law.
Rollins and the other person in the vehicle, Craig Smith of Montgomery, Ala., were arrested for felony possession of a firearm on university property.
Though the incident at Patriot Place occurred close to campus, Austin thinks FMU is secure.
"I just want to clarify that no gunshots happened on campus," he said. "The campus is safe."
He said he encourages students to notify campus police about any suspicious activity they see.
Students also can sign up for Swamp Fox Alerts on the FMU Web site. The alerts are sent to students and faculty via text message when any type of crisis occurs on campus.
Francis Marion also has an e-mail alert system, a campus-wide alarm and an emergency preparedness plan outlining the proper procedures in the case of a violent incident or a psychological, emotional or medical crisis.
"I think the campus is as safe as we can make it," said Darryl Bridges, vice president of student affairs. "It's safe relative to other universities and the Florence area if you look at crime statistics."
While on patrol Feb. 24, a campus police officer heard gunshots across U.S. 76, otherwise known as Palmetto Street. The shots were fired near the parking lot of Patriot Place Apartments, campus police Chief Richard Austin said.
When the officer arrived at the apartment complex, he spoke with a security guard and another witness who said he saw someone shooting from the rear driver's side of a black and silver Dodge Charger, Austin said.
Later that night at about 2 a.m., campus police stopped junior Randey Karshief Johnson's vehicle on campus after an officer noticed it matched the witness' description of the car involved in the shooting, Austin said.
Johnson cooperated with police during questioning and admitted he had a gun in his vehicle, according to reports. He denied being at the apartment complex.
Johnson was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a firearm on campus and posted $5,000 bond later that day.
He since has been suspended from the university for violating the student code of conduct regarding weapons on campus as outlined in the student handbook.
Two nonstudents traveling with Johnson also were arrested for public drunkenness.
A third passenger wasn't arrested.
In a separate incident on Feb. 22, a campus police officer stopped a vehicle when he noticed it didn't have a university decal.
The officer found that the car's two nonstudent occupants each were in possession of a handgun, Austin said.
Charlie Rollins of Montgomery, Ala., one of the occupants, carried a weapons permit from Alabama, but Austin said the permit is considered void under S.C. state law.
Rollins and the other person in the vehicle, Craig Smith of Montgomery, Ala., were arrested for felony possession of a firearm on university property.
Though the incident at Patriot Place occurred close to campus, Austin thinks FMU is secure.
"I just want to clarify that no gunshots happened on campus," he said. "The campus is safe."
He said he encourages students to notify campus police about any suspicious activity they see.
Students also can sign up for Swamp Fox Alerts on the FMU Web site. The alerts are sent to students and faculty via text message when any type of crisis occurs on campus.
Francis Marion also has an e-mail alert system, a campus-wide alarm and an emergency preparedness plan outlining the proper procedures in the case of a violent incident or a psychological, emotional or medical crisis.
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