Crime

Retired member of law enforcement drops gun in WCC class

By Wilson Criscione

The Bellingham Herald
The outside of the new Student Recreation Center and Pavilion is pictured Sept. 23 at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham. Campus officials were considering what to do after a student, a former federal officer, accidentally dropped a handgun out of his holster during class Monday, Oct. 26.
The outside of the new Student Recreation Center and Pavilion is pictured Sept. 23 at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham. Campus officials were considering what to do after a student, a former federal officer, accidentally dropped a handgun out of his holster during class Monday, Oct. 26. Evan Abell The Bellingham Herald
BELLINGHAM

A Whatcom Community College student formerly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection dropped his handgun in class Monday, Oct. 26, according to the school.

The handgun was concealed in the student’s holster but not properly secured. It fell to the floor when he got out of his seat during class sometime between 9 and 10 a.m., said Bellingham Police Sgt. Mike Scanlon.

The former federal law enforcement officer, a 47-year-old man, picked the gun up immediately after it fell out, Scanlon said.

Scanlon said the man was “cooperative and apologetic” when police arrived to the school around 11 a.m. He had a concealed carry permit, and police gave him the gun back.

Whatcom Community College prohibits weapons on campus. The only people allowed to carry weapons are commissioned law enforcement officers, according to the school.

School administrators called police and met with the student. The college was “confirming details and determining next steps,” on Monday, WCC spokeswoman Mary Vermillion said.

This story was originally published October 26, 2015 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Retired member of law enforcement drops gun in WCC class."

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