Gun-Wielding University of New Haven Student to Serve 1 More Year in Prison

The former University of New Haven student accused of bringing loaded guns to campus last winter and sparking a massive police presence and lockdown will serve another year in prison, followed by five years of probation.

William Dong, 23, brought two handguns and a banned assault rifle to campus last December, prompting a campus-wide lockdown and building-by-building search, according to authorities.

He was arrested and charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon, breach of peace and other counts after police found 2,700 rounds of ammunition and newspaper clippings about mass shootings in his padlocked bedroom..

Man With Gun Reported Near Univ. New Haven

Dong was later charged by federal authorities with unlawful transport of a semi-automatic Bushmaster rifle.

He initially pleaded not guilty, but reversed the plea. According to the Milford Judicial District clerk's office, Dong pleaded guilty to one count of illegal sale and transfer of an assault weapon and two counts of illegal possession of a pistol.

Dong was sentenced to eight years in prison, suspended after two, but he has been in prison for the last year, so he will serve one more.

He will also serve five years' probation and will be required to register with the deadly weapon offender registry.

Dong's friends called the incident a "huge misunderstanding" and said Dong was just confused about where he was allowed to carry guns.

Dong told authorities he had been planning to visit a shooting range the next day and carried guns to protect himself in the event of a mass shooting.

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