GMU Suspends 3 Students Arrested After Alleged 'Bomb-Making' Materials Found in Dorm

PHOTO: Statue of George Mason, namesake of George Mason University on the campus of the university in Fairfax County.

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Three students at George Mason University are temporarily suspended and banned from campus pending legal proceedings, after arrests were made in connection with alleged "bomb making" materials found in a dorm room on campus last week, the university announced Wednesday on its Facebook page, in a message to the community.

The university faced a backlash Tuesday on its Facebook page, after not being more forthcoming about the news to students, families and nearby residents. The school released information about the arrests the week after they occurred and did not immediately say whether the students were still on campus or not.

The incident started last week. On Wednesday, March 16, George Mason University Police received a report of flames being shot out of a window in Jefferson Hall, one of the dorms.

When police arrived, they found sufficient cause to request a search warrant for possible drug paraphernalia, according to a statement from Thomas Longo, interim chief of police, Department of Police & Public Safety at the university.

On Thursday, March 17, police obtained a search warrant and found drug paraphernalia as well as items "consistent with the production of a dangerous device," Longo said in the statement.

Three individuals were arrested: Two on drug and alcohol-related charges and one was charged with possession of "bomb-making materials," according to Longo.

The students were not identified; the university referred Patch to Fairfax County Police.

The university posted this message to the community Wednesday on its Facebook page:

Dear Patriot:

We want to share an update regarding the recent incident involving three George Mason University students.

We understand your concerns and frustrations, given recent events both on campus and in the world around us. We want to assure you that campus safety remains our highest priority.

The students who were arrested are barred from campus property. They are interim evicted from student housing and on interim suspension from the university, pending the outcome of the legal process. Because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are not releasing the names of the students involved.

We can tell you that the materials found in the residence hall were in an inert state, and did not pose an immediate threat to the residents of Jefferson Hall and the campus community.

This incident is an ongoing investigation and as more information can be released, we will keep you informed. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact Mason Police Department at 703-993-2810.

Best Regards,

Tom Longo

Interim Chief of Police