Man Accused In University of New Haven Gun Scare Faces Federal Charge

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Prosecutors announced federal firearms charges Tuesday against a Connecticut man who caused a gun scare at the University of New Haven last month.

William Dong, 23, has been charged with unlawful transport into Connecticut of a semi-automatic Bushmaster rifle.

An agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in an affidavit that Dong told him that he bought the rifle in Pennsylvania in September.

No shots were fired and no one was injured on Dec. 3 when Dong was allegedly found wandering the University of New Haven campus with two loaded handguns. According to authorities, Dong also had a Bushmaster and bullets in his car parked nearby.

The campus was locked down for more than four hours.

A search of Dong's home following his arrest turned up guns, ammunition, as well as newspaper clippings of mass shootings.

Dong, of Fairfield, has been in state custody since his arrest. Prosecutors said he agreed to a federal detention order during an appearance in federal court in New Haven on Tuesday.

If Dong is convicted, the federal charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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