The two rifle-carrying men who walked through the Bowling Green State University campus Tuesday afternoon were there in response to the arrest of a man with a hand gun on Sunday, and they had informed campus police ahead of time that they would be coming, according to a letter to students by university President Rodney Rogers.
He expressed regret that the university did not inform the community about the planned event beforehand. “In navigating this situation. We fell short in communicating with our community. As president, I am ultimately responsible, and I regret we did not communicate with you directly ahead of this activity.(See complete text of the letter below.)
The two unnamed individuals “came onto campus this afternoon, openly carrying firearms to demonstrate their rights under state law.”
Though the action, Rogers said, violated campus policy, that policy is superseded by state law. “While concealing a firearm on campus is a violation of our policy and Ohio Revised Code, today’s activity involving open carry is not unlawful. BGSU Police monitored their activity while on campus to ensure there was no physical threat, and our officers engaged both individuals in a conversation and understanding of the law,” Rogers wrote.
On Sunday, Daniel Seymour, 39, who provided police with a Wayne address, was charged with inducing panic after he allegedly waved a Ruger P95 9mm while walking near the Carillon dining facility and Kohl Hall. He pleaded not guilty to that charge in BG Municipal Court Monday.
His actions caused the police to issue a BG alert and urged people on campus to shelter in place. This occurred as the university’s orchestra was preparing for a livestreamed concert and people were touring the Master of Fine Arts exhibition.
The shelter in place notice was lifted about 30 minutes later after Seymour was located and arrested.
In his letter, which was sent late Tuesday, Rogers stated: “Today, we have heard from a number of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and families that they felt unsafe at Bowling Green State University. On the anniversary of the shootings at Columbine 22 years ago, and in light of the tragic incidents happening across the nation, we understand these concerns.”
That concern was expressed as the incident was reported on social media. The social justice activist group BRAVE – Black Rights, Activism, Visibility and Equity – urged people to be cautious. “While Ohio may be an open carry state, and it may be legal, this doesn’t mean that we need to standby and say nothing. Lest we forget, slavery and apartheid were legal as was/is state sanctioned violence. We will not stay silent. These laws are unjust and threaten our psychological and physical safety.”
Rogers said: “These recent open carry incidents may lead to more on our campuses. These individuals are demonstrating and seeking attention. When given advance notice, we will ensure you are aware. As a learning community, we learn. We will meet this moment head on because our students, parents and families especially deserve the best of Bowling Green State University.”
Rogers opened the letter by saying he intended to address the guilty verdicts in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, a Black man. While that trial shows the system “brings justice,” it was clouded by news of the death of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. The Black teen was shot when Columbus police responded to a call about someone wielding a knife, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The death of another Black person in an encounter with police caused protests last night in Columbus.
A week ago, according to the Dispatch, another Black man, Miles Jackson, 27, died in an alleged shootout with police at the emergency department at Mount Carmel St. Ann’s medical center in Westerville.
Letter from BGSU President Rodney Rogers
This evening, I was planning to write to you on the heels of the verdict of the case involving Derek Chauvin and the senseless death of George Floyd. Today’s guilty convictions of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter reaches for justice in a tragedy that shook our nation almost a year ago, and we are filled with many emotions. While this is justice for the Floyd family, we are learning this evening of another tragic shooting of a young woman in Columbus. While we don’t know all the details at this time, the distress that this news brings is not lost on me.
Outside of this verdict, today was also a challenging one for our University. In response to Sunday’s incident, two individuals came onto campus this afternoon, openly carrying firearms to demonstrate their rights under state law, which supersedes BGSU policies. They gave BGSU Police advance notification of their activity late this morning. While concealing a firearm on campus is a violation of our policy and Ohio Revised Code, today’s activity involving open carry is not unlawful. BGSU Police monitored their activity while on campus to ensure there was no physical threat, and our officers engaged both individuals in a conversation and understanding of the law.
Today, we have heard from a number of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and families that they felt unsafe at Bowling Green State University. On the anniversary of the shootings at Columbine 22 years ago, and in light of the tragic incidents happening across the nation, we understand these concerns. In navigating this situation, we fell short in communicating with our community. As president, I am ultimately responsible, and I regret we did not communicate with you directly ahead of this activity.
On Sunday, BGSU Police issued an emergency BGAlert, because of the reported activity of waving a firearm, which led to the charge of inducing panic. While today’s activity was different, the weight of this concern does not go unrecognized. These individuals did not need our permission to openly carry, and they did not break the law. I certainly recognize that this brings a range of opinions and emotions. For those who want to see change about open carry at state universities, contact your Ohio state representative or state senator and make your voice heard. However, when we speak to this moment, your physical safety was never compromised, and BGSU Police responded to this activity.
When it comes to our lack of education and communication about the open carry activity, we are reminded that democracy is messy. When it comes to the guilty conviction of the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd, we are reminded that democracy brings justice. For us to aspire to be the community we wish for all of society, this is a reminder of progress, but let us also not lose sight of the hard work ahead, which continues at our University. Tough decisions are required by each of us. There are times we don’t make the right decision, and then there are times we do. From managing a national issue, which has illuminated the hard work ahead to address violence and inequity, to a debate on our campus in Bowling Green about the Second Amendment, we must come together, listen to one another and be understanding of these complexities.
These recent open carry incidents may lead to more on our campuses. These individuals are demonstrating and seeking attention. When given advance notice, we will ensure you are aware. As a learning community, we learn. We will meet this moment head on because our students, parents and families especially deserve the best of Bowling Green State University.
