Amanda Webster

Central Connecticut State University students and faculty are breathing easier after a hectic Monday afternoon that shut campus down following reports of an alleged armed man on campus.

Just before noon on Monday, Central Connecticut police were notified of a suspicious man on campus who at the time was believed to have a weapon on him. The school was immediately put on lockdown and students and faculty were told to remain indoors and stay hidden.

David Kyem, a senior at CCSU, was taken into custody around 3 p.m. and has been charged with breach of peace. He was released after his father posted $1,000 bail.

According to the Hartford Courant, Kyem stated, “I’m sorry for all the commotion and the fear and the confusion. I’m sorry for any problems. It’s obviously a big misunderstanding.”

In an interview with the Recorder via email, Peter Kyem, father of David Kyem and a geography professor at CCSU, said that the situation was a misunderstanding.

According to Kyem, his son was still wearing his Halloween costume from over the weekend, and it was his costume that caused some concern.

“I did not know much until after the lock down. I came home and saw his picture [of the arrest] at the website of Channel 3. I then went to CCSU police to inquire about him and they confirmed his arrest so I made arrangements to bail him. He said he left with some friends for UConn for a Halloween party on Thursday evening and stayed over the weekend. He returned to campus today on a public bus and in his Halloween costume and headed towards James Hall where he is residing now. It was then that some who saw him enter the hall called the police and the frenzy began,” stated Kyem.

Cervoni said that the suspect was identified and located by the time stamp from cameras outside of James Residence Hall, along with the card swipe system, which grants access to the dormitory.

Cervoni said that there was no real threat to students and there was never a hostage situation, despite circulating rumors from concerned students on social media accounts. Two other individuals were also taken into custody and, according to Cervoni, all three individuals were cooperating with authorities.

Kayla Burgos was inside James Hall during the lockdown.

“I was really scared. Not knowing where [the suspect] was was really scary,” said Burgos. “I attempted to put the desk in front of the door, [I] put pillows on the windows.”

All of the emergency systems worked as they should have, according to President Jack Miller, who congratulated police and authorities for their swift response to the incident.

“My very sincere thanks to all of the officers that participated and provided support to us on the campus,” stated Miller. “From a personal standpoint I can simply say in this situation, our prayers were answered.”