On Thursday, the Los Angeles District Attorney charged USC freshman Sufian Khmous with two felonies after reportedly pointing a gun at a student at Parkside International Residential College (IRC). The legal studies student was charged with two felony counts: assault with a semi-automatic firearm and possession of a loaded firearm on campus.
“Having a firearm on campus is very unusual,” Department of Public Safety Assistant Chief David Carlisle said. “In my 18-year career, the only time that I can remember firearms being in residential halls, they turned out to be airsoft guns, not real firearms. So this is an unusual case.”
Three days after the incident, Khmous was arrested on April 14 by police for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after students reported the incident to a Parkside IRC residential advisor. Following the arrest, the Los Angeles Police Department were able to securely obtain the weapon after discovering the firearm within a safe in his dorm room. Khmous was quickly released from police custody on a $30,000 bail.
According to the Morning Trojan, a spokesperson for Khmous said the student is currently not living in the residential hall or attending classes. The USC Student Conduct Code states that when a student is under investigation by law enforcement they are excluded from all university housing and put under interim suspension.
Now, with felony charges, Khmous could face imprisonment. Felony assault with a firearm could garner Khmous two to four years in state prison, while felony possession of a loaded firearm on school campus could lead up to a maximum of five years according to California’s “Gun-Free School Zone Act.”
Assistant Chief Carlisle encouraged students to immediately report to DPS if they are suspicious of someone owning a firearm.
When reaching out for specific comments regarding the DA charges, DPS did not immediately respond to Annenberg Media.
The motive behind the incident is still unknown.