Ronald Jacques, 20, was suspended from Bethune-Cookman University after police found a loaded assault-style weapon in his car. (Image courtesy of the News-Journal)
A Bethune-Cookman University student was arrested Sunday after police say they found an AR-15 rifle in his car, which was parked near a campus dormitory.
Ronald Jacques, 20, of Miami Gardens was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property, according to a police report obtained by The Daytona Beach News-Journal. He was still being held at the Volusia County Jail on $10,000 bail as of Monday, Feb. 26.
Jacques has since been suspended from the university.
“The student involved in this incident has been suspended and removed from campus pending a disciplinary hearing,” Clifford Porter, B-CU vice president for advancement, said in an emailed statement.
Jacques’ hearing is scheduled to take place in two weeks, Porter added.
A Bethune-Cookman campus security guard said she discovered the gun while she was patrolling the campus late Sunday night and noticed the student’s Dodge Challenger was improperly parked. While investigating the vehicle, the officer said she spotted a black AR-15 rifle in plain view in the front passenger’s seat.
Police said Jacques exited one of the dorms while security continued inspecting his car, later admitting that the vehicle belonged to him and he was aware of the weapon on the front seat. The student was then detained.
Officers said they found the rifle with a loaded magazine holding 17 .223-caliber rounds. One round was already chambered and shell casing was found in Jacques’ pocket, police said.
A police report shows the student declined to speak further with police.
