A 28-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested for bringing two loaded guns to Boston University's commencement ceremony, Sunday.
The BU police arrested Andrea Massa of Marshfield after they found guns in his bag, Colin Riley, university spokesman said.
"He was arrested on his way into commencement; they have a security checkpoint and was found with two weapons," Riley said. He also said that Massa was not a student of BU.
Massa was charged with disorderly conduct, carrying a firearm on school grounds, and violating the terms of his license to carry the gun for hunting and target practice, a civil offense, a spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney, said.
Sally Jenkins, Massa's wife told Boston Herald that the entire incident was a misunderstanding. "As soon as he saw there was a security check point, he knew he wouldn't be allowed in," said his wife. She said she and Massa were at the commencement to see her sister graduate. "He had no intention of stepping on that property and was arrested while he was leaving."
"It was just a misunderstanding," she said. "It's going to get worked out."
Security at BU's graduation ceremony was stepped up following last year's Marathon bombing, Riley said, adding that metal detectors were put at entrances to the field.
The university announced its plans of strict security measures Friday, Boston Globe reports . "All students, faculty, staff, volunteers, guests, and vendors will be subject to screening when entering any commencement weekend venue, possibly with a metal-detecting wand," the university said.
According to Riley, the investigators have launched a probe into the matter. However, nobody at the ceremony was harmed.
Massa is expected to be arraigned Monday in Brighton District Court.
