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Samford guard admits he fabricated tale of gunman
Campus shut down for 2 hours after report
Saturday, May 10, 2008
KIM BRYAN
News staff writer
A Samford University security officer whose reports of an armed intruder led to a campus lockdown Friday later admitted he faked the report because he was tired of riding in a golf cart and not being allowed to carry a gun, Homewood police said.
The false report initiated a daylong frenzy, with warnings about the gunman going out to staff, students and parents.
The officer, whose name was withheld by Samford and Homewood authorities, has worked at the campus for years, said Homewood Police Chief Phil Dodd.
The guard said he filed the report because he wanted to be outfitted like a real police officer and needed more equipment, Dodd said. He said the man told police he had been asking for the gear for "a long, long time."
In his initial report, the security officer told officials that, while on patrol, he entered a campus parking deck and saw a suspicious person. As the guard approached, he told authorities, the man pointed a gun toward him, then jumped over a railing and fled.
The guard described the gunman as "a black male, about 5 feet 10 inches, average build."
Samford officials ordered a lockdown of the campus, and the university's emergency notification plan was executed immediately, said Philip Poole, Samford spokesman.
At 5:35 a.m., student and staff cell phones were flooded with a simultaneous text message and e-mail warning:
"A suspicious person with a weapon has been reported on campus. Remain in your dorm until all clear. This is not a test."
Messages were sent automatically from a data bank to parents who had registered to be alerted in an emergency.
The lockdown order was lifted at 7:30 a.m.
After the guard finished his 12-hour shift at 7 a.m., Homewood police interviewed him for 4½ hours, with breaks, Dodd said. "After a couple of hours, it became obvious there were too many inconsistencies to his story. It didn't make sense."
Detective Warren Rodriquez continued the interrogation until the man admitted he had fabricated the story because of his frustration, Dodd said.
"He's not been charged and he's not in custody," the chief said. "Samford University took him home and will take the appropriate administrative action soon."
At 3:35 p.m., Samford University President Andy Westmoreland posted an update on the campus Web site, apologizing for the episode.
"After an intense investigation, we have learned that there was no mystery gunman on the campus this morning. ... Appropriate disciplinary measures are being taken," the message said.
E-mail: [email protected]
What a maroon. The clown could have carried everyday concealed, he just wanted everyone to see him carrying.
Campus shut down for 2 hours after report
Saturday, May 10, 2008
KIM BRYAN
News staff writer
A Samford University security officer whose reports of an armed intruder led to a campus lockdown Friday later admitted he faked the report because he was tired of riding in a golf cart and not being allowed to carry a gun, Homewood police said.
The false report initiated a daylong frenzy, with warnings about the gunman going out to staff, students and parents.
The officer, whose name was withheld by Samford and Homewood authorities, has worked at the campus for years, said Homewood Police Chief Phil Dodd.
The guard said he filed the report because he wanted to be outfitted like a real police officer and needed more equipment, Dodd said. He said the man told police he had been asking for the gear for "a long, long time."
In his initial report, the security officer told officials that, while on patrol, he entered a campus parking deck and saw a suspicious person. As the guard approached, he told authorities, the man pointed a gun toward him, then jumped over a railing and fled.
The guard described the gunman as "a black male, about 5 feet 10 inches, average build."
Samford officials ordered a lockdown of the campus, and the university's emergency notification plan was executed immediately, said Philip Poole, Samford spokesman.
At 5:35 a.m., student and staff cell phones were flooded with a simultaneous text message and e-mail warning:
"A suspicious person with a weapon has been reported on campus. Remain in your dorm until all clear. This is not a test."
Messages were sent automatically from a data bank to parents who had registered to be alerted in an emergency.
The lockdown order was lifted at 7:30 a.m.
After the guard finished his 12-hour shift at 7 a.m., Homewood police interviewed him for 4½ hours, with breaks, Dodd said. "After a couple of hours, it became obvious there were too many inconsistencies to his story. It didn't make sense."
Detective Warren Rodriquez continued the interrogation until the man admitted he had fabricated the story because of his frustration, Dodd said.
"He's not been charged and he's not in custody," the chief said. "Samford University took him home and will take the appropriate administrative action soon."
At 3:35 p.m., Samford University President Andy Westmoreland posted an update on the campus Web site, apologizing for the episode.
"After an intense investigation, we have learned that there was no mystery gunman on the campus this morning. ... Appropriate disciplinary measures are being taken," the message said.
E-mail: [email protected]
What a maroon. The clown could have carried everyday concealed, he just wanted everyone to see him carrying.
