Three incidents involving pellet guns on campus have been reported in the last month and two students were arrested and issued notices of prohibition.
Vice-Principal (Academic) Patrick Deane said the first incident occurred when a student was found firing a pellet gun at the windows of Gordon-Brockington Hall on Sept. 27.
“Security were called, the police were called and the student was arrested and charged,” he said. “It was a very troubling incident because the don who attempted to intervene was in a position where she was threatened.”
The second incident involved a student living in Victoria Hall who had acquired a pellet gun and decided to fire it from the window of his room on Oct. 2.
“Although he alleges he didn’t intend this, it remains that an employee of the University was shot in the leg on his way to the parking lot,” Deane said. “In that case, security was called and the police were called and the student was arrested.”
Deane said one charge was laid in both cases.
“The first [person] was charged [with] mischief. With the second [person], the charges were dropped because the victim couldn’t identify who was shooting the gun.
“This prevents them from coming onto the campus without permission or unless they’re escorted on by security,” he said. “That’s a measure the University takes when they believe the student, or any individual, is at that point a potential danger to the community.”
Deane said although students are prohibited from entering the Queen’s campus, they’re still expected to keep up with their school work.
“What we try to do is make it possible for them to keep up with the work. We encourage them to stay in touch with professors and so on. As long as they are under that notice, they’re still registered students and are expected to keep up.”
Under the University’s policies on weapons, a weapon is defined as a manufactured device to injure or kill another being, or a device designed to look like a weapon. Examples of weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, explosives, air guns, pellet guns, bb guns, crossbows, long bows, swords, martial arts weapons, prohibited blades, hunting or fishing knives, brass knuckles, replica or imitation firearms or any prohibited device as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada.
Deane said whether or not the student will permanently be kicked out of residence depends on how the disciplinary process unfolds.
“The students can appeal the notice of prohibition; they do that to the University Student Appeal Board [USAB],” he said. “It is within the power of the appeal board to impose suspension. It’s the only body in the University that can suspend a student. If the case comes through the AMS [judicial] process, it would have to be referred to the USAB, or in that case a recommendation for suspension is made.”
Deane said a third but less dangerous incident of a pellet gun was also reported.
“This was a gun found to be in possession in someone in one of the residences, but it was a less egregious offence because there was no firing of it.”
Deane said disciplinary action for the second incident is being dealt with through the residence discipline system.
“I believe that is still in the process and is being dealt with through the residence community.”
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