Campbell law student arrested for allegedly waving handgun around on NC State campus
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from Campbell University.
A Campbell University law student was arrested early Monday morning after police said he brought a handgun onto the N.C. State University campus.
Zachary Olson, 24, of Cary is accused of bringing a a Ruger Max-9 pistol onto an educational property and carrying a concealed weapon, according to court records.
An N.C. State Police Department spokesperson told The News & Observer the incident took place just before 12:15 a.m. Monday. Raleigh police contacted the university’s department to share a report of a man waving a gun in the air, he said.
The man had been seen by the Chipotle at 2316 Hillsborough St., the spokesperson said. Police found Olson on Dan Allen Drive, roughly 2 miles from the Chipotle, according to Google Maps.
An N.C. State spokesperson confirmed Monday that Olson graduated from N.C. State in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
A Campbell University spokesperson told The N&O a third-year student matching Olson’s name was registered at its law school.
In an email, J. Rich Leonard, dean of Campbell University’s law school, wrote that the student has been suspended “until either the conclusion of his criminal trial or my conclusion after evaluation that he does not pose a danger to our community.”
“His access to the building has been terminated, and security will be diligent in enforcing the suspension,” Leonard said in the email. “I do not take this step lightly, but my primary responsibility is to protect the health and safety of our community.”
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said by email Monday that Olson began working as a part-time law student intern at her office last month.
“We have terminated his internship,” Freeman wrote.
Olson was released on $3,000 secured bail Monday, court records show.
