At approximately 7:55 p.m., GJPD imposed a dining hall lockdown after it was reported that a man was brandishing a firearm in the campus dining hall. The suspect then went into the men’s restroom, police said.

A man matching the suspect’s description attempted to leave the dining room. Officers contacted the man, determined he was in possession of a firearm and took him into custody without incident.

Alexander Simpson, 20, was arrested and taken to the Mesa County Detention Center where he is being held on $25,000 bail.

Simpson was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon on the grounds of a school, college or university; false reporting of explosives, weapons or harmful substances; unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon; and reckless endangerment.

There were no shots fired and no injuries reported in this incident. Simpson is not believed to be a CMU student.

According to the affidavit, Simpson allegedly borrowed a phone from a stranger and called 911 to report a person with a gun.

“Alexander pretended to be a third party and described himself as a 20-year-old male wearing a black jacket and green pants,” the affidavit states.

According to police, Simpson was found with a 9mm handgun in his pocket, which he admitted to having when contacted by police.

“Alexander stated he had no intention of hurting himself or anyone else, but he felt he had no other solution,” the affidavit states.

The affidavit also says Simpson told police he wasn’t sure what outcome he intended.

Approximately eight officers responded to the CMU campus to search the area.

Simpson made his first court appearance on Friday.

Prosecutor Jeremy Savage asked the court to set bail at $25,000, which was granted by Judge Michael Grattan.

“I have extreme concerns for the safety of the community in this case,” Savage said.

Savage said he was disturbed that Simpson allegedly told law enforcement that he saw no other solution.

Defense lawyer Kelsey Tebo said Simpson was a 20-year-old boy with no criminal record and scored in a very low risk category in a risk assessment method used by the courts.

Simpson also wasn’t found with the type of weapon typically used in mass shootings, Tebo said, calling 911 himself.

“I don’t think he actually tried to do anything in that situation,” Tebo said.

Grattan sided with Savage, saying, “He’s not tagging the CMU building with graffiti, he’s bringing a loaded gun to CMU.”

“I honestly don’t know what would pose a greater risk to public safety,” Grattan added.

Simpson will also be barred from the CMU campus if he drops out.

Teens arrested and released after toy gun incident

Officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to a report of possible shots fired in the area of ​​25 Road and Patterson Road around 1:55 p.m. Friday.

The reporting party stated that occupants of a northbound vehicle may have fired a weapon toward a person on a bench at the Grand Valley Transit West Transfer Facility at 612 24½ Road. Officers quickly located the vehicle at the Goodwill Store and Donation Center, 630 24½ Road, and contacted four juveniles involved in the incident.

Officers discovered the teens were firing shotguns out the car window at the Grand Valley Transit building. There were no injuries in this incident. The young people were arrested and handed over to their parents after questioning. No charges were filed for this incident.

Grand Junction police want to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of real or simulated weapons.