By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
A Fort Hays State University student was arrested March 27 for allegedly pointing and fired a pellet gun at students inside a residence hall.
FHSU Chief of Police Terrance Pierce said campus police responded at 11:21 p.m. to a report of someone allegedly brandishing a firearm in the lounge on the third floor of Victor E. Village.
The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Jay Alan Johnson, who had left the scene before officers arrived, according to Pierce.
In the lounge, officers spoke with witnesses who said the suspect allegedly appeared to be intoxicated and had what looked like a semi-automatic handgun in his waistband.
Witnesses reported the suspect allegedly pulled what appeared to be a handgun from his waistband and aimed it at the students before pulling the trigger. According to Pierce, they described hearing a clicking sound as what the students thought was a handgun's action cycled.
Several witnesses said Johnson's actions frightened them. No one was injured.
When Johnson returned, the officer interviewed him and asked about the firearm. He denied possessing a firearm and refused to give consent to search his room. A FHSU residential life assistant director provided security camera footage.
Pierce said the footage appeared to show the suspect with what looked like a silver semi-automatic pistol. University officers arrested the suspect at about 11:55 p.m. and transported him to the Ellis County Jail.
According to Pierce, a search warrant was obtained and carried out. A pellet gun, which looked like the device in the security video, was found in the suspect's room inside a backpack and was seized.
The suspect was released on bond. FHSU has removed the individual from University Housing and banned him from all FHSU property until the outcome of the criminal case, Pierce said.