MILFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man who prompted a lockdown at the University of New Haven when he brought guns including a semi-automatic rifle to campus pleaded guilty Friday to weapons charges and faces two years in prison, authorities said.
William Dong, a former UNH student, was arrested Dec. 3, 2013, after a bystander alerted police and authorities later found 2,700 rounds of ammunition and newspaper clippings about the Colorado theater shooting at Dong’s home.
Dong pleaded guilty to illegal importation of a semi-automatic Bushmaster rifle, which he had in his car, and illegal possession of pistols that he brought onto campus, State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor in Milford said. He said the plea agreement calls for Dong to serve a minimum of two years in prison, with five years’ probation. Sentencing is set for Dec. 19.
Dong’s motivations for bringing the weapons to campus remain unclear. Lawlor said that based on a doctor’s evaluation and other information he did not feel he could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dong intended to carry out an act of violence.
“At the end of the day it’s important to understand the concerned citizen at UNH who pointed this out and the response by all of the first responders led to a good outcome here,” Lawlor said.
The campus was locked down more than four hours as police arrested Dong and searched the school grounds.
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