Cal Poly students arrested for allegedly having weapons on campus

Two Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students were banned from campus after they were arrested over the weekend for allegedly having firearms and ammunition on campus, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported.

Charles Hojaboom and Brandon Pham were arrested on suspicion of violating California weapons laws, including possession of a concealed loaded pistol, a shotgun, various other weapons and ammunition, the Tribune learned from a notification sent to the campus community Thursday.

“The safety of our campus community is a top priority for Cal Poly and, with few exceptions, firearms are not permitted on campus,” university spokesperson Matt Lazier said.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo patrol officers and Poly Canyon Village area residents heard gunshots in the area, with residents reporting the sounds on 911 on Saturday night, the Tribune reported.

Officers discovered Hojaboom and Pham in the area with a shotgun and a loaded, concealed pistol as well as a campus sign with bullet holes, the Tribune reported. During searches of their on-campus residences, which are not being disclosed, additional weapons were found and confiscated.

Lazier told the Tribune that the matter has been referred to the university’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office. Both students have been released from the county jail but are banned from campus, according to the Tribune.

“In the interest of safety,” Lazier said, “the university has removed both students from campus while the matter moves through both the criminal justice system and the university’s student conduct process.”