DeLand, FL - A Stetson University student was arrested and suspended on Wednesday for allegedly bringing a firearm on campus.
20-year-old Preston Barrow, a Sophomore at Stetson, was stopped by a school security guard after the student parked in a school handicapped parking spot while he had a blown tire. Arrest reports show that Barrow told the security officer he had used marijuana and had a firearm in his car.
DeLand police arrived at the scene at Nemec Hall just before 3 AM, and they searched Barrow's 2016 Ford passenger vehicle. While they searched the vehicle, police say they found an "SKS" style assault rifle inside the car, as well as a magazine for the rifle. The rifle magazine was not attached to the rifle. The search also found .3 grams of marijuana in a container inside the car.
Barrow told police that he had no intention of harming anyone with the rifle and that he only had it because he was going shooting the next morning. While Barrow was immediately suspended from the school, he will be allowed a hearing with the Office of Student Conduct.
Stetson does have a policy prohibiting firearms on campus, and Janie Graziani, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications for the university, says that all students are informed of the weapons policy before they come to campus.
"The safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors is a top priority for Stetson University, and we will not and do not tolerate any weapons on campus," explains Graziani.
Barrow was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail and was held on $3,500 bond for possession of a firearm on school property, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
(Barrow's mugshot courtesy Volusia County Jail)
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