EWU students cited in pellet gun case

Two college students are in trouble for bringing what looked like guns into a student residence hall.

Eastern Washington University campus police became involved last week after hearing that two students had handguns in Streeter Hall. While the weapons looked like handguns, they were actually pellet guns, according to Tom McGill, police chief for the campus police department.

All weapons are prohibited on the EWU campus, said McGill and Stefanie Pettit, EWU spokeswoman.

Police began an investigation on Sept. 30 after getting a report of two incidents which happened the day before. The two students allegedly had three pellet guns inside the residence hall.

In one case, a pellet gun was pointed at a student, McGill said. McGill would not comment on specifics of the case, saying it remains under investigation. In another incident, the pellet guns were seen, but weren’t pointed at anyone.

“It’s pretty rare for us to have weapons issues out here,” McGill said.

The prohibition against having weapons on campus is well-publicized and all students should be aware of it, McGill said. Police offer lockers where students can secure guns for use in hunting and target practice, McGill said.

Timothy Fordham, 18, was cited for two misdemeanors in connection with the gun incidents. He was cited for unlawfully carrying or displaying a weapon capable of producing bodily harm and for possession of stolen property, McGill said.

Michael Hickman, 18, was cited for the same charges as well as for misdemeanor theft.

Police continue to investigate the incidents, McGill said.

The two students are no longer living in the residence hall, Pettit said. Privacy laws prohibit EWU from discussing what disciplinary actions EWU has already taken or will take in the case, Pettit said.