Virginia Tech student charged with illegal gun possession
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A Virginia Tech freshman has been charged with illegally possessing a rifle.
Virginia Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski confirmed to the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Yunsong Zhao was arrested Monday. Owczarski says Zhao is accused of possessing a rifle, a weapon that Virginia law says foreign nationals cannot possess, and trying to order 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
The university issued a statement Tuesday saying Zhao didn't pose a threat to campus. The arrest sparked comparisons to the 2007 mass shooting on the school's campus and rumors of a weapon stockpile. Tech Police Chief Kevin Foust says an investigation found the rumor to be inaccurate.
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Commonwealth's Attorney Mary Pettitt declined to comment. The newspaper couldn't reach Zhao's attorney, Jason Wolfrey.
Zhao faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.
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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com