Homestead Campus was on lockdown Monday for nearly an hour after a man accused of previously bringing a firearm to campus returned to school grounds, according to the Homestead Police Department.
Christian Fabian Richards, 21, was arrested on charges of possessing a firearm on school property and disrupting an educational institution.
In a statement posted on Instagram Monday, the police department said that Richards, who is not currently a student at the College, was wanted for a previous weapons violation at the campus. He was spotted on campus Monday afternoon by the school’s public safety department.
According to Homestead Campus Interim President Beverly Moore-Garcia, Richards left a weapon in the men’s restroom in Building D on March 6. Homestead Police were notified and took possession of the weapon.
Three days later, the campus was placed on lockdown at approximately 2:55 p.m. while Homestead Police searched for Richards. According to the Instagram post, the search ended without incident after police received a phone call from Richards’ attorney who notified them that the suspect would turn himself in.
At 3:36 p.m, MDC’s emergency notification account on X posted that the lockdown had been lifted: “The situation at Homestead is resolved and deemed safe by College officials. Resume normal operations.”
Moore-Garcia told the paper to reach out to the HPD for any questions about the criminal investigation.
Richards was booked and processed at the Homestead Police Department headquarters before being transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where he bonded out.
To report any public safety issues at Homestead Campus, call (305) 237-5100.
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