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U.Va. College at Wise hoax-caller arrested

The University’s College at Wise sophomore Bryant Hairston was arrested Monday on a federal criminal complaint charge after he allegedly lied about sighting an armed man on campus. Hairston was charged with one count of “knowingly making false, fictitious and fraudulent statements and representations” last Wednesday, according to an Associated Press release. The 20-year-old’s call to the police, in which he provided details on the alleged gunman’s clothing and location, led University officials to place the campus on lock-down for more than an hour while a search was conducted.

The complaint charge leading to yesterday’s arrest stated Hairston “later admitted to lying about the information given to 911.” FBI as well as state, county, city and campus police are investigating the case, and U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer will prosecute.

“We were notified very quickly [during the incident,]” said Elivia Wimmer, a U.Va. Wise junior. “Campus police and our community police did a very good job.”

—compiled by Audrey Waldrop

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