Va. Tech hoops player faces gun charges

The Collegiate Times BLACKSBURG, Va. (U-WIRE) -- Virginia Tech police arrested a school basketball player last Saturday morning for firing a weapon outside the school's Cassell Coliseum. Kenny Harrell, a sophomore communication studies major, faces charges of possession of a concealed weapon, firing of a weapon, removing a serial number from a weapon and intent to endanger life, limb or property. "[This is] a damn serious crime," said Larry Hinker, Virginia Tech's associate vice president for university relations. "Horsing around is one thing; having a .38 caliber and firing it in the air is something else. I hope people will wake up and realize this is dangerous and doesn't belong on a campus." Sgt. Jack Ridinger of the Virginia Tech police arrested the 6'2" guard at 12:42 a.m. Saturday on Washington Street in front of Cassell Coliseum. Harrell pointed the gun into the air and fired a shot, said Mike Jones, chief of Virginia Tech police. Along with legal charges, Harrell faces an indefinite suspension from school. Harrell was suspended for violating rules applying to all Tech students, not just athletes, Hinker said. "The policy [about firearms] is that you can't have one," Hinker said. "It is in the student life policy -- you can't even have large weapons," he added. After the arrest, Virginia Tech police took Harrell to jail, where he was released shortly thereafter on $3,500 bond. He did not give a reason for firing the gun, Jones said. All weapons are supposed to be registered with Virginia Tech, something Harrell didn't do, Hinker said. The Virginia Tech police notified basketball head coach Bobby Hussey after the arrest and Harrell is suspended from the team indefinitely. When contacted yesterday, Hussey did not return phone calls for comment. If convicted, Harrell could face up to 12 months in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.