Columbia, SC (WLTX) - University of South Carolina police have arrested a student they say had handguns inside a dorm room.
Trevor Scott Stephens, 17, of Walterboro was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of firearms on campus.
The incident took place on the night of August 21st. According to officers, they'd gotten information that a freshman had a firearm inside the Maxcy Residence Hall. Officers found the suspect and searched his room.
When they went inside, officers say five handguns were discovered in a green bag in his closet and seized from his room. An incident report filed by USC police details what weapons were seized:
Smith & Wesson .38
Taurus .38
GSG 1911 .22
Highpoint 9 mm
Glock 17 9 mm
Police also say they found a set of brass knuckles.
The suspect was then taken to the Richland County jail. He was later released, and according to USC, he is with his parents out of town.
"Safety is a big concern on any college campus," said Wes Hickman, USC's Director of News and Internal Communications. "One of the things that worked well in this instance was our community recognized that something was amiss and notified university officials. We encourage our students to do that all the time...we all have to be dilligent."
USC law enforcement say steps were immediately taken to ensure that the subject could not return to or gain access to campus upon his release. A Carolina Alert was also sent to students notifying them of the arrest.
The student has been suspended from the University and is currently not allowed back on campus. The investigation continues.