Virginia Tech freshman, Yunsong Zhao, was arrested after trying to buy 5,000 rounds of ammunition and possessing an assault rifle. The arrest took place on Monday after more than a week of investigations into the student, according to USA Today.
The Collegiate Times reported that Zhao has family in China and no criminal record before this incident. According to the police report obtained by The Collegiate Times, Zhao has also purchased and modified a used police vehicle. CNN added that Zhao had been researching bullet proof vests.
Zhao had been storing his AR-15 in a student locker at the school’s Public Safety Building, which compiles with university regulations.
Virginia Tech’s own news website reported that “At no time during this investigation did police believe there was any threat to our community, nor is there one now.” This incident comes after the 2007 mass shooting at the school, and more recent rumors of a student “stockpiling” weapons on campus.
Police Chief at Virginia Tech, Kevin Foust, address the incident in a statement on Facebook. He said that there was no connection between reports of a student stockpiling weapons and Zhao’s arrest. He then reassured the university that “we will continue to be vigilant for our community.”
CNN stated that Zhao is currently in custody at Montgomery County Jail without bail. Zhao’s attorney told The Washington Post that there is a bond hearing scheduled for Thursday and “there will be evidence elicited at the bond hearing that will demonstrate the fears and sensationalism associated with this case has been vastly overblown.”
Zhao is no longer enrolled at Virginia Tech and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 1, The Collegiate Times noted.
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