Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Man Accidentally Fires Gun On Campus, Found Guilty Of Public Drunkenness

A State College man who accidentally fired .45 caliber gun on campus last summer was found not guilty of Recklessly Endangering Another Person but guilty of Disorderly Conduct and Public Drunkenness earlier today.

33-year old Gavin Crutchfield was at Café 210 with his girlfriend on August 14, 2015 carrying a loaded handgun. The two were there for several hours and, according to a release from Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller, Crutchfield drank “multiple pitchers of beer” throughout his stay. When they left the bar, the two got into an argument that caused them to part ways and gun-toting Crutchfield to hop a fence onto Penn State property.

What fence did Crutchfield jump? The release didn’t say, but he must have been pretty drunk considering there are essentially unlimited ways to get on campus without having to jump a fence. Anyway, I digress.

In his efforts to jump this fence in his intoxicated state, Crutchfield accidentally pulled the trigger on his loaded gun. Despite the fact that there were many people walking around campus, downtown, and right near Crutchfield, nobody was injured. He then ran from the scene where he set off his gun and ditched the weapon under an HVAC unit near Old Main, where it was found the next morning.

The report doesn’t indicate whether or not Crutchfield was legally permitted to be carrying the weapon. He is facing a fine of $325 for the two charges as well as any other court or legal fees he incurs.

“Guns and alcohol never mix and should never be handled when someone is intoxicated,” Miller said in the release. “We are very happy that no one was actually harmed.”

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Lexi Shimkonis

Lexi is an editor-turned-staff writer who can often be found at either Irving's or the Phyrst (with the chances she'll have her backpack being the same). Lexi is a senior hailing from Spring City, PA (kind of) and studying Civil Engineering. Please email questions and/or pleas for an Instagram caption to [email protected], or for a more intimate bond, follow her on Twitter @lexshimko.

Coming Full Circle: Megan Kelby’s Senior Column

“It wasn’t my time for that college experience yet. I had to be able to enjoy myself and get my bearings before I could be ready for any of that.”

Graduating With Style: Buttons On Beaver Founder Makes Mark On Penn State Fashion

“There’s been a few other buttons I’ve seen pop up… but I still feel like my designs are always so much more unique.”

An Algorithm Of Their Own: Penn State Math Club Goes Viral On TikTok

In their order of operations, kindness always comes first.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.6kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Lexi

A Special, Precious, & Eventful Experience: Lexi Shimkonis’ Senior Column

“And here in this lovely, intriguing spot called Penn State, each of us staked our own special, precious, and eventful life.” — Ross Lehman

Homecoming To Replace King And Queen With Gender-Neutral Court

[Video] An Interview With Line Dance Leader Gina DeFrancesco