Feb. 6, 2018

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collegiatetimes.com

February 6, 2018

COLLEGIATETIMES

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

9 Virginia STUDENT ARRESTED No. Tech wrestling AND CHARGED WITH takes down 25thILLEGAL POSSESSION ranked North Carolina, 21–9 OF ASSAULT WEAPON A Virginia Tech freshman, Yunsong Zhao, was arrested on Jan. 29 and charged with possessing or transporting a rifle with a 30-round magazine while on a student visa. MATT JONES editor in chief

Virginia Tech Police on Monday, Jan. 29 arrested a freshman for illegal possession of an assault rifle with a 30-round magazine. Yunsong Zhao, 19, was charged with possessing or transporting an assault firearm while not being a U.S. citizen or while not being lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the U.S. According to public Virginia Tech records that have since been taken down, Zhao was an undecided business major who lived on the fourth floor of Cochrane Hall. Rumors had circulated on campus that someone was stockpiling weapons on campus, but the university and Virginia Tech Police Department (VTPD) have said that this was not the case. According to them, Zhao never posed a threat to anyone. The charge is related to the use of a larger-than-allowable magazine with a firearm that Zhao owned legally. A search warrant obtained by The Roanoke Times states

in part that it was not illegal for him to own a Bushmaster XM-15 rif le, which he kept in the student gun locker at the Public Safety Building, where students on campus are required to store weapons. However, on Jan. 22, police learned Zhao had bought the additional magazine, which changed the rifle’s legal status from a regular weapon to an assault firearm, which is illegal because he is in the country on a student visa. According to the Virginia State Police, non-immigrant aliens can possess a firearm if they meet certain requirements such as having a valid hunting license under the Federal Gun Control Act. The Code of Virginia prohibits the sale of assault firearms to people who are not citizens or legal permanent residents. The law defines an assault firearm as a semi-automatic rifle or pistol with a magazine that can hold more than 20 rounds, designed to accommodate a silencer or with a folding stock. According to the arrest warrant obtained by WSLS,

The Hokies wrapped up their home slate for 2018, as they set their sights for postseason wrestling in the next weeks. IZZY ROSSI news editor

The ninth-ranked Hokies took on University of North Carolina Saturday night in their last regular season meet in Cassell Coliseum, adding another win to their already 12–2 season record. Tech was able to beat the 25th ranked Tar Heels despite missing several regular starters. Redshirt freshmen Kyle Norstrem and B.C. LaPrade, who normally wrestle in the

125 and 157-pound weight classes respectively, were both out with injuries. Both are set to return before the end of the regular season. UNC was able to jump out to an early lead in the first match thanks to James Szymanski’s win against Tech freshman Ryan More in the 125-pound bout. More is not a regular season starter and is filling in for the injured Norstrem. The Hokies responded WRESTLING / page 6

YUNSONG ZHAO Zhao had attempted to buy 5,000 rounds of ammunition as well. He also purchased a former police vehicle, a 2011 blue and silver Ford Crown Victoria, and modified it with antennas and a push bar. The Roanoke Times reports that police searched the Crown Victoria, a 2003 Ford F-150 parked at Foxridge Apartment Homes

and his room in Cochrane. Authorities took a bayonet and over 700 rounds of ammunition from Cochrane along with other items for safe-keeping. On Jan. 15, Zhao had checked in an AR-15 assault rifle into the student gun locker. Police received a report that Zhao had bought GUNS / page 4

BENJAMIN JUDELSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES James Szymanski (UNC) and Ryan More (VT), 10–3, Feb. 3, 2018.

Jerry Ford Jr. looks to improve sustainability and zoning ordinances as a new Town Council member Ford was appointed to Town Council to fill the vacant seat of now-Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith and was previously a member of the planning commision. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1987 and hopes to share his love of Ut Prosim with fellow Hokies. SANSKRITI NEUPANE assistant news editor

Last week, on Jan. 23, 2018, Jerry Ford Jr. was appointed to the Blacksburg Town Council to fill the former seat of current mayor, Leslie Hager-Smith. “I was honored with this opportunity and I was humbled by the support that Town Council had to appoint me, excited to get down to the work and learning,” said Jerry Ford Jr., Town Council member. Before being appointed

JERRY FORD JR. TECH STREAK LOST TO HURRICANES Hokies are blown away by Miami, 84–75.

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to Town Council, Ford spent time as a member of the planning commision, which helped him prepare for his current role as a Town Council member. “Oh, I think it prepared me well, because when you serve on planning commision, they ask you to take a certified planning commissioner training, and so I took that last year and (it) really teaches you about land use, planning, laws that apply in the process, how to work with the public. I think planning commision serves

OPINION: DIPLOMATS ARE UNSUNG HEROES

Embassy officials deserve as much respect as soldiers. page 2

as a great training ground,” Ford said. Jerry Ford Jr. came to Blacksburg to attend Virginia Tech in 1987, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He left to pursue a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Maryland University College, but came back to Blacksburg and began his now 26 years in public service. Ford decided to come back to Blacksburg after receiving his master’s degree due to the outdoor

spaces it has for residents to explore and his desire to help the community. “I am a big bicycler, and so you know I really enjoy the rich outdoor opportunities we have here, and the ability that you can ride off on your bicycle and (in) about 10 minutes you’re out in the country,” Ford said. He hopes to use his experience, as well as his personal love of the environment, to improve sustainability in Blacksburg. FORD / page 3

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