VPUL suspends student caught with loaded gun

DA issues two criminal charges The Wharton evening student caught carrying a loaded 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol in class has been placed on "an involuntary leave of absence," Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said yesterday. In addition, University Police Chief George Clisby said the District Attorney's Office had charged Murphy with violating Pennsylvania's Uniform Firearms Act and with one count of harassment. But as of yesterday afternoon, Murphy had not been arraigned, Clisby added. "I felt it was extremely important to act immediately to make the statement that this is a direct threat to safety," McCoullum said. Although McCoullum said she is prohibited from releasing the suspended student's name, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said the suspect is Wharton evening student Douglas Murphy. University Police officers discovered the gun while questioning Murphy about an incident in which he allegedly harassed a student in his Marketing 24 class two weeks ago. The officers then arrested Murphy after they found the loaded handgun in his jacket, according to University Police Sergeant Tom Rambo. The student who was reportedly assaulted by Murphy is also claiming that he received a threatening phone call from Murphy more than a week ago, according to Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel. Janice Bellace, deputy Wharton dean, said that this incident was Murphy's first disciplinary infraction since he started attending Wharton evening classes in 1992. She also said the school was not aware of the alleged assault or the threatening phone call prior to Murphy's arrest. But after the incident, Bellace said several students in Murphy's class came forward and reported witnessing the assault. Bellace added that the incident has left Murphy's classmates concerned about their safety. In an effort to make the students feel more comfortable, a Victim Support and Special Services officer will be present in future classes. This incident, combined with the student who threatened two other students at shotgun point last month, has left administrators outraged. "This is a community where we need a higher standard of behavior and we need to hold people accountable," McCoullum said, adding that the University community must come together and condemn the actions of these students. "[Because] the administration acted as quickly as possible is a sign that we won't tolerate this sort of thing on Penn's campus," University spokesperson Barbara Beck added.

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