UGA Student in Custody After Threats

This Associated Press is reporting that a University of Georgia student who made alarming statements to a professor and then confronted police officers with a gun has been taken into custody. Brandon Ginyard, 27, had been in East Central Regional Hospital in Augusta for psychological evaluation since April 30^th.

On April 30^th, during a meeting with Peter Shedd, academic director of UGA's Terry College of Business, Ginyard stated, "Graduation doesn't matter. I will either be in jail or dead by May 11," Shedd's assistant stated that Ginyard was upset by his apartment being broken into the previous weekend. Ginyard went into his meeting with Shedd upset over the robbery stating that he knew who had committed the robbery and would "b submission guidelinese taking matters into his own hands." Shedd tried to convince the Ginyard to let the police handle the robbery, but Ginyard was still upset and made statements that convinced Shedd that hat Ginyard was planning an "act of violence."

After this meeting, Shedd alerted University of Georgia police. He also informed UGA of other students concerns over pictures Ginyard had posted on Facebook. One picture showed Ginyard with a AK-47-style assault rifle and another with assault rifle ,40-caliber Glock pistol, a box of ammunition and stating "If you f--- with me, this is what you're going to get."

This not the first time Ginyard has been reported to UGA police. In 1996 UGA's Counseling and Psychiatric Service reported that students were afraid of Ginyard because he had a gun and had threatened to kill himself and others. Officers did not act at this time because Ginyard had a gun permit and "showed no sign of self-destructive behavior."

A probate judge signed an order allowing police to take Ginyard for mental evaluation and allowing them to search his apartment for weapons.

After 30 minutes of knocking on the door trying to get into Ginyard's apartment, police opened Ginyard's door with a key from the apartment employee, Officers found Ginyard with a handgun pointed down, which he surrendered when ordered to. Officers found that Ginyard had another fully loaded magazine in his pocket. Officers also uncovered more than 100 rounds of ammunition and three additional magazines. Also uncovered was a paper target with bullet holes. These bullet holes were "labeled with a different title that appeared to correspond with college courses."

Ginyard has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer. He will appear in court on Thursday May 10^th, to decide if he will receive bail.

Macon Telegraph Athens Banner-Herald,