An altercation involving the use of firearms took place close to 3 a.m. Wednesday around the Arbour Acres housing complex area on the Mississippi State University campus. No one was hurt during the incident.
Three Starkville men, including an MSU student and a dining service employee, were arrested at or before 8 a.m. as a result of the altercation, said MSU Police Detective Donald Bartlett.
Sophomore Michael Oden was arrested on charges of possession of a deadly weapon on educational property by a student along with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The employee, 21-year-old TaForrest Allen, was arrested on charges of displaying and discharging a firearm on educational property.
Seventeen-year-old Lajerrius Jeffries was arrested on the charge of tampering with evidence and is being charged as an adult.
According to a press release on the MSU Web site, Allen was fired.
Oden was suspended and will face a judicial hearing on campus.
The three men arrested have been banned from campus.
In the release, dean of students Mike White said the incident began off campus.
“University police officers were on the scene within minutes, and no one was injured,” he said. “Police officers quickly detained suspects and witnesses, obtaining statements that led to the recovery of all weapons.” White was unavailable for comment Thursday.
Bartlett could not comment on the reason for the altercation or the investigation, but he said the MSU Police Department has no tolerance for firearms violations and strives to ensure the safety of every student, employee and faculty member.
“If you’re found to be in possession of a firearm, you will be arrested and prosecuted according to state law.”