Issue date: 4/1/04 Section: News

Sleep was the only thing on sophomore Kelly Walsma's mind as she filed back into her residence hall after an early morning fire alarm - until she saw her friend fall to the ground.

Sophomore Joe Hassler, weak from a concussion suffered earlier in the week, was shot once in the arm and once in the back with a BB gun. Walsma was shot once while helping Hassler to his feet.

"Seeing a 6-foot-1-inch guy fall like that is really scary," she said.

Walsma and Hassler were two of five students who reported being shot with a BB after a fire alarm evacuation at 2 a.m. March 25 when returning to the north side of Ryle Hall.

Several students reported the incident to their student advisers, and the Office of Residential Living later contacted the Department of Public Safety so reports could be filed.

Walsma, who was hit once in the side, said her injuries were not serious. She compared the BB wound to being snapped with a rubber band.

Tom Johnson, director of Public Safety, said he thinks the shots were fired from inside Dobson Hall.

Although the shootings happened during the fire alarm, Johnson said Public Safety has no evidence to conclude that the two are related.

He said Public Safety officers have posted campus-watch fliers and conducted several searches of students' rooms based on tips they have received from students. He said they have not had to obtain any warrants because all subjects have consented to searches.

Johnson said they had not found anything as of Wednesday.

Freshman Luis Vega, who lives in Dobson Hall, said his room was searched because the screen of his window was missing. He said officers looked around his room and opened drawers but found nothing.

"They explained everything and made sure I understood what was going on." Vega said. "I didn't have anything to hide."

A BB gun found in a student's room would violate the Student Conduct Code, which prohibits any weapons on campus with the exception of weapons used by Public Safety and ROTC students.

Hassler said he is disappointed with the way Public Safety has handled the situation. He said he thinks officers immediately should have locked down Dobson Hall the night of the alarm to question residents.

"Because of the poor police work, the chances of catching whoever it was are pretty slim," Hassler said. "Good steps weren't taken."

Johnson said officers were unable to search Dobson Hall rooms sooner because they did not receive the report until later that morning.

If a suspect is caught, he or she will face charges of aggravated assault, a class-C felony, which can include a prison sentence of up to 10 years, Johnson said.

Because no one was hurt seriously in the incident, Hassler said he does not think jail time would be an appropriate punishment. He said he would prefer the shooter to perform community service.

Sophomore Brian Flieg, who was shot once, said he thinks the shooter should be expelled if he or she is caught.

Both men said they think the incident was a prank and the shooter did not intend to seriously injure anyone.

Johnson said that because so many students are still talking about the event, there is still a good chance Public Safety will find the shooter. Anyone with any information can contact Public Safety at 785-4176.

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