Florida College Student Arrested for On-Campus Weapon Possession
In a concerning incident at Rollins College in Florida, a 21-year-old senior named Constantine Demetriades found himself at the center of a campus safety investigation after ordering 1,500 rounds of ammunition to his dormitory. The situation escalated quickly when school officials, alerted by the unusual purchase, conducted a search of Demetriades’ living quarters. What they discovered prompted immediate action from campus security and local law enforcement.
The search revealed an unloaded AR-15 semi-automatic rifle stored beneath Demetriades’ bed in an unsecured black carrying case. Alongside the weapon, officials found one loaded magazine, five empty magazines, tactical gear including a vest, several knives, a black security vest, and hearing protection equipment. This discovery violated Rollins College’s strict ban on weapons of any kind on campus property, despite Florida’s general allowance for open carry. Upon questioning, Demetriades explained that he enjoyed shooting as a hobby and had recently returned from Thanksgiving break in New Jersey, where he claimed the firearms were legally purchased and registered. He stated that he typically stored his weapons at a friend’s off-campus residence and had only brought the rifle to campus on one previous occasion.
During the investigation, Demetriades acknowledged his awareness of the college’s weapons prohibition and admitted that his New Jersey concealed carry permit had no legal standing in Florida. Despite his cooperation with authorities and his insistence that he harbored no harmful intentions toward anyone at the school, Winter Park police placed him under arrest on Wednesday. The charge against him—possession of a weapon on school property—came after the school’s assistant campus safety director reported the ammunition order to local law enforcement, setting in motion the events that led to the search and subsequent discovery of the firearm.
The incident highlights the tension between individual gun ownership rights and institutional safety policies designed to protect educational communities. While Demetriades described his firearm possession as merely recreational, college campuses across the country have implemented strict no-weapons policies following numerous tragic school shooting incidents over the past decades. Rollins College, maintaining its commitment to campus safety, immediately took action by banning Demetriades from campus property pending resolution of the situation. In their official statement, the college emphasized that they “quickly identified and contacted the student, who cooperated fully with College officials and local law enforcement” throughout the investigation process.
This case reflects broader national conversations about guns on campuses and appropriate security measures at educational institutions. While some advocate for greater personal freedom regarding firearm possession, others point to incidents like this as justification for maintaining or strengthening prohibitions on weapons within learning environments. The discovery of tactical gear alongside the weapon, despite Demetriades’ explanation, naturally raised concerns among campus officials responsible for ensuring the safety of thousands of students, faculty, and staff. The college’s decisive response—conducting an immediate investigation and cooperating with law enforcement—demonstrates the seriousness with which educational institutions treat potential security threats in today’s climate.
As the legal process unfolds, Rollins College has initiated its internal student conduct proceedings in addition to the criminal charges Demetriades now faces. The college stated that the student “is not permitted to be on campus while the College proceeds with the student conduct process,” underscoring their prioritization of community safety. This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance educational institutions must maintain between respecting individual rights and ensuring collective security, particularly in environments dedicated to learning and personal development. While the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what additional information might emerge about Demetriades’ intentions and what precedent this case might set for similar situations in the future.
