A 21-year-old student at a liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida, has been taken into custody after authorities uncovered an unloaded AR-15 rifle along with a large cache of ammunition and tactical equipment beneath his dorm bed. The discovery came after a shipment of 1,500 rounds of ammo was addressed to his campus room, raising alarms among fellow students and school officials.
Massive Ammo Delivery Leads to Weapon Discovery
Campus officials flagged a suspicious online order of 1,500 rounds of ammunition addressed to the student’s dorm room.
Upon inspection, law enforcement found the AR-15 stored in an unsecured black carrying case under the student’s bed — accompanied by one loaded magazine, five empty ones, a tactical vest, knives, ear protection and other gear.
Student Claims Hobby, But Was Aware of Weapon Ban
The student reportedly told police he enjoys shooting as a hobby and had purchased and legally registered the firearm in New Jersey over Thanksgiving break.
He admitted he knew of the campus weapons ban — and acknowledged his New Jersey concealed-carry permit did not apply in Florida — but claimed ignorance regarding ammunition restrictions on campus.
Arrest Made, Student Banned from Campus Amid Investigation
On December 3, local police arrested the 21-year-old on charges of possession of a weapon on school property.
Meanwhile, the college initiated an internal inquiry and barred him from returning to campus while the student conduct process and legal proceedings continue.
