A former High Point University student accused of planning a shooting on campus has taken a plea deal in a North Carolina court.
Paul, 19, was arrested last year after police found two guns and ammunition in his dorm room. He was charged with two felony counts of weapons on campus or other educational property and one count of communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property. Reports at the time said he told police he chose the school because North Carolina would make it easier for him to get a gun.
In court, the district attorney said Paul had been thinking about a campus shooting since December 2019. Court documents allege he had a plan and timeline, though he was never accused of carrying out an attack.
Under the negotiated deal, Paul pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm on educational property. In exchange, the court dismissed the second weapons count and the threat charge.
According to reports, the judge handed down a sentence of 5 to 15 months, suspended, with a 72 day split sentence and credit for time served, followed by 24 months of supervised probation not to exceed 30 months. During the first year, he must complete 100 hours of community service. He is also barred from High Point University property and from contacting university staff or students.
The university said in a statement that it understands the plea deal continues the ban from campus and from contact with students and staff. It also thanked the students who reported the situation, along with campus security and the High Point Police Department, for acting quickly. Paul has since been expelled.
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