Hotbox issue

On Sept. 14, a group of students was diverted to the Dean of Students Office for marijuana use.

A University of Arizona Police Department officer was conducting a security check of the Sixth Street Parking Garage. The officer noticed a vehicle with the windows rolled down with smoke emitting from the passenger compartment. The officer noted that there were five individuals in the car, and upon walking toward it, the smell of burning marijuana grew stronger.

The officer asked if they wanted to give him the marijuana, and the one in the driver’s seat turned over a partially burnt marijuana cigarette. The individual identified it as belonging to the one in the passenger’s seat, but also admitted to smoking marijuana.

The officer asked the individual in the passenger seat to exit the vehicle and informed him that the man in the driver’s seat claimed the cigarette was his. The individual handed over a package of rolling papers and a rolling machine to the officer, stating they belonged to him, in addition to admitting he had smoked marijuana.

The officer had them all exit the vehicle and conducted a search that resulted in finding marijuana under the driver’s seat.
Most of the individuals admitted to marijuana use, aside from a non-UA-affiliated individual who did not exhibit any of the signs or symptoms of marijuana use.

The individuals were informed they were being either diverted or referred to the Dean of Students Office for marijuana possession or a Student Code of Conduct violation. All five were released on the scene.

Shots fired

On Sept. 15, a student discharged a weapon at a UA anthropological site.

The UA Assistant Vice President notified UAPD that an incident involving a firearm had occurred on UA property. The caretaker and resident of the property was discovered, who reported that he had been outside his residence and heard and saw a subject on the property. The resident fired one shot from a gun to frighten the trespasser away.

The officer spoke with a UA employee, who said that the resident is a student employee for the anthropology department and works in their office. In addition, he is allowed to live on the property with rent and utilities free of charge as long as he watches over it.

The UA employee said the resident had called her in the early morning hours on Sept. 14 to report that he had fired a gun on the property. He also reported that he had heard voices on the property and went to investigate. He said he had fired one shot into the ground to scare the intruder.

He said he considered the property his residence. The officer discussed the legal issues regarding the event with the department and the lack of rental agreement.

The resident was contacted by the officer to discuss the incident. The resident reiterated what the officer had previously been told.

The officer then explained the circumstances did not meet the justifications for using deadly force. When the officer asked for the weapon, the resident said he had gotten rid of it by throwing it in a wash.

No criminal charges were issued at the time.