Masked Man Arrested After Pointing Gaming Gun At UMD Students: Police

COLLEGE PARK, MD — A 40-year-old Washington, D.C., man has been charged after University of Maryland Police say he drove aggressively around campus while wearing a facemask and pointing what appeared to be a gun at people.

Tuesday around 9:24 a.m., the UMPD was contacted about a masked person aggressively driving a white Dodge van around campus, waving a weapon, according to police.

Police officers found the vehicle on Union Drive and Alumni Drive and stopped it. The driver was detained and officers found a weapon, which was later verified to be a white gaming rifle that is used for video games, UMPD reported.

Police determined that there wasn't an immediate threat to students and staff. After interviewing multiple witnesses and victims, UMPD officers arrested Christopher Alongzo Garner, 40, of Washington, D.C., and charged him with the following:

• Two counts of CR 3-203 second-degree assault
• One count of CR 10-201 (c)(2) disorderly conduct
• One count of CR 3-204 (a)(1) reckless endangerment
• One count of CR 3-1001 threat of mass violence
• One count of ED 26-101 (b) molesting or threatening students or school personnel prohibited
• One count of ED 26-101 (a) school: disorderly conduct or obstruction of activities, administration or classes

Garner appeared before a District Court Commissioner and is being held without bond.