A High Point University Student Accused Of Planning A Campus Shooting Pleads Guilty; Gets Probation and a Suspended Sentence

Paul Arnold Steber, 19, a High Point University student has pleaded guilty in an arranged plea deal in court after being accused of planning a shooting on campus. He was found in his dorm room in possession of two guns and ammunition. After being arrested, he reportedly informed police that he only came to the University because he wanted to be in the state of North Carolina, where it would be easier for him to get a gun.

The 19-year-old college student was taken into custody and 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.

In court, it was revealed by the district attorney that Steber had been contemplating a campus shooting since December 2019. He continued that Steber had researched mass shooting and watch footage of the tragic incident in Charleston, South Carolina.

Court documents state that Steber allegedly had a “plan and timeline to kill people.”

As part of the negotiated plea deal, Steber pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm on education property. In exchange for that plea, the court dismissed the second charge of having weapons on campus or other educational property and a count of communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property.

The judge gave Steber a suspended minimum sentence of 5 months up to a maximum of 15 months, “a 72-day split sentence with credit for time served, followed by 24 months of supervised probation”.  Reports state that his probation is not to exceed 30 months.

During the first year of his probation, Steber is required to perform 100 hours of community service. He is also not allowed on High Point University property or contact any of the Universities’ staff or students.

High Point University responded to Steber’s plea deal in an official statement that stated:

“The university understands that this plea deal continues banning the former student from all campus property and banning him from contacting any students or staff.”

It continued:

” We continue to commend the students who reported this situation, as well as the quick action taken by HPU Security and the High Point Police Department. Their quick action demonstrates caring for the campus community at its finest. Remember: If you see something, say something.”

Steber has since been expelled from the UniversityUniversity.