A student at Rollins College in Florida has been arrested after police discovered an AR-15 rifle and 1,500 rounds of ammunition in his dormitory room. Constantine Demetriades, 21, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with possession of a firearm on school property.
According to an arrest affidavit, the college's assistant campus safety director alerted police after Demetriades ordered ammunition online for delivery to the campus in Winter Park. A search of his dorm room uncovered an unloaded AR-15 hidden under his bed in an unsecured black carrying case, along with one loaded magazine and five empty magazines.
Demetriades told police that he had brought the rifle back from his home in New Jersey after the Thanksgiving break, where he said it was legally purchased. He claimed he had no bad intentions and that shooting was a hobby, adding that he usually stored the firearm at a friend's off-campus home. He admitted to buying the ammunition online but said he was unaware that possessing ammunition on campus was against the law.
Authorities also found a black security vest, ear protection, and a pistol storage case during the search. Demetriades acknowledged that he knew weapons were banned on campus and that his New Jersey concealed carry permit was not valid in Florida.
Students expressed shock and concern. One said, 'I'm happy they've found it because I've seen him around campus, and if they didn't do anything about it, I'd personally fear for my safety.' Another commented, 'He could just be super interested in firearms but then again, that's no excuse.'
Rollins College released a statement saying it received a report of a weapons policy violation and immediately launched an investigation. The college confirmed that the student cooperated fully and was arrested without incident. Demetriades is not permitted on campus while the college proceeds with its student conduct process.
