Virginia student charged in gunman hoax

Abingdon, VA, United States (4E) – A 20-year-old student of the University of Virginia at Wise who has been accused of giving authorities false information about an armed man on campus last week was taken into custody Monday.

According to the federal complaint, Bryant Alexander Hairston from Martinsville, Virginia was charged with one count of knowingly making false, fictitious and fraudulent statements and representations.

The document stated that Hairston called 911 on January 23, saying he saw a man with a gun and wearing a face mask on campus grounds, which prompted the immediate lockdown of the university.

It was reported that the investigation on the case is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, the Town of Wise Police Department, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Pound Police Department, the Coeburn Police Department and the UVA Wise Police Department.

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