In light of the events at an Oregon Community College this past week, many students and parents are worried about campus safety. Most Marshall University students never expected to see criminal activity up close and personal, however, that is exactly what happened when police stopped a suspect who allegedly threw a gun onto the roof of the Communications building.

Classes in Smith Hall ended abruptly on Monday when approximately 4 police vehicles skidded to a stop in the yard beside the Communications Building.

Senior criminal justice student, Ryan James, recalled the events. “ We were on the 4th floor of Smith Hall in our Criminal Justice capstone class and we heard cars skid,” James said. “We looked out the window and saw cops flying into the yard.”

According to Marshall University Police Department, 911 dispatchers received an emergency call that a man with a gun was walking down Third Avenue. Huntington Police Department responded along with MUPD. When police pulled up to the man, he ran. The man was apprehended at 16th Street and Fourth Avenue.

“The firearm was recovered on the roof of the Communications Building. [The suspect] chucked it when he was running. There was no clip or any ammunition in it,” said MUPD Chief of Police, Jim Terry.

Students gathered outside Smith Hall and looked onto the events as officers searched the roof and recovered the gun. Some students said it is interesting to see something like this first hand.

“It’s interesting, you don’t see that definitely every day. Especially when you are sitting in class and you see it happen, then you walk out of class and see the results,” Criminal Justice senior, Tyler Bellomy said. “We will probably be talking about this Wednesday in class.”

The suspect was taken into custody by HPD. No information has yet been released about possible charges.

Samantha Godby can be contacted at [email protected]