New details emerge in arrest of man with AR-style rifle at AU
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We are learning new details about a man who was arrested earlier this month after he approached campus police with a handgun at Augusta University, according to arrest warrants.
Arrest warrants state Stephen Joseph Sala, 33, listed with a home address in Massachusetts, was arrested Oct. 3.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 2, an Augusta University police officer was on patrol when he noticed Sala walking across a student parking lot, carrying a backpack, according to the incident report.
According to officials, the parking lot was owned by Augusta University.
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The officer then reported Sala stopping at a curb on the opposite corner of the patrol vehicle and placing his backpack on the ground.
Sala then started walking towards the patrol car holding a black colored handgun, according to the incident report.
Sala was within a few feet of the officer’s patrol car when the officer noticed Sala in the process of racking the slide of the weapon. The officer then pulled his own gun on Sala and took him into custody, according to the incident report.
The report also says an AR-style rifle with mounted scopes and an illegal barrel length was found in the backpack as well as the handgun.
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A spokesperson with AU said the university was closed due to Hurricane Helene when Sala was arrested.
“Thanks to quick action by AU law enforcement, there was no emergency threat to campus,” the Augusta University spokesperson said.
Sala is in Richmond County jail, charged with possession of an illegal weapon, weapons in school building/grounds/functions and criminal tres. He has no bond on his felony charges, according to District Attorney Jared Williams’ office.
Sala had previously been arrested in Aiken County by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. He was out on bond with the only condition being that he could live in Georgia but had to return to South Carolina for all court appearances.
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