A 21-year-old student, identified as Constantine Demetriades, was arrested at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida on December 3, after campus safety officials flagged his online order of 1,500 rounds of 9mm ammunition delivered to his dorm room, according to New York Post.
This prompted a search that uncovered an unloaded AR-15 semi-automatic rifle stored in an unsecured black carrying case under his bed, along with six magazines, one loaded and five empty, plus a tactical vest, several knives, a black security vest, ear protection, and a pistol storage case.
Winter Park Police charged him with possession of a firearm on school property, a third-degree felony carrying up to five years in prison.
Who is Constantine Demetriades?
Demetriades, a senior at the college, admitted to police he knew Rollins College’s strict no-weapons policy but brought the rifle back from New Jersey after Thanksgiving break, where he legally purchased and registered it.
The student, who told authorities he “likes to shoot as a hobby,” said he had no ill intentions and usually keeps the firearm at a friend’s home off campus. He also claimed he didn’t know his New Jersey concealed carry permit wasn’t valid in Florida, police said, WKMG reported.
A member of the college rowing team since freshman year with medal wins, Demetriades shared a dorm unit with three others, raising safety concerns that escalated quickly.
He also disclosed prior work as an armed security guard at Orlando clubs and emphasised no ill intentions.
School to also probe Demetriades
Rollins College, which bans all weapons despite Florida’s open carry laws, immediately barred Demetriades from campus pending its student conduct investigation.
In a statement, the college noted: “We quickly identified and contacted the student, who cooperated fully with College officials and local law enforcement… The student was arrested and is not permitted to be on campus while the College proceeds with the student conduct process”.
Demetriades appeared in court on December 4, qualifying for pretrial release, People reported.