Dickinson’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a call on Saturday, Sept. 21, from students at the Latinx house, stating that there had an altercation. An individual who was later discovered to be a non-Dickinson student lifted his shirt to reveal a semi-automatic handgun in his waistband. The subject was accompanied by two other individuals, both non-Dickinson students.
Officers were on the scene within 30 seconds but found no trace of the individual. Both the Carlisle Police Department, as well as the State Police, are working closely with DPS to find the individual, as the investigation is still ongoing. DPS Chief Dee Danser confirmed that a picture of the suspect will be distributed in the upcoming days. However, she explained that before that can happen the students who saw the suspect must be presented with a photo line-up.
More incidents were reported on the same weekend concerning high school students from Carlisle attempting to enter Dickinson parties. The first incident occurred at the Reed House, or Delta Sigma Phi residence, where there was an altercation between members of the fraternity and high school students. Danser confirmed that one of the high school students may be charged with a criminal offense, although she could not specify what charge.
Another incident, taking place at Goodyear apartments, saw a group of high school students enter the building. Danser confirmed that this was the second time this had happened, as the previous weekend there was no report by Dickinson students, despite the presence of the high school students. While the high school students were not committing a ‘crime’, Danser explained that if it happens again, they may be hit with trespassing charges as Dickinson is private property.
When asked whether the students were certain if what the individual possessed was indeed a real firearm, Danser responded that it did not matter. Danser said, “The reality is, if it was a real gun or a fake gun, the action of pulling it (the shirt) up to show somebody is essentially a threat. The charge would be the same, it would be the same violation of law, because you’re attempting to intimidate somebody with something that is a weapon.”
Danser advises students to be vigilant. She said, “This is where I really need help from students. If you’re having a function, have somebody at the door. Delta Sig, that’s what they did. The people that were trying to get in, they sent them away.” She also said that in any case, when a non-Dickinson student is trying to get into a building, to notify DPS immediately, even if you have sent them away.
The Dickinsonian reached out to students who may have been involved, but they declined to comment.
