Failing CNM Student Threatens to Shoot Up School

Albuquerque –

A student was arrested Wednesday after allegedly making threats of a mass shooting at Central New Mexico Community College and bringing a loaded handgun onto campus.

Just before 12:15 PM on August 5, officers with the Albuquerque Police Department responded to CNM’s Public Safety Building on the Main Campus located at 725 University Blvd. SE after campus security received reports that Brandon Stockman, 35, had threatened to “shoot up the school.”

According to a criminal complaint, before Albuquerque police officers arrived, a Central New Mexico Community College campus security officer located Stockman on campus and asked whether he was carrying a firearm. Stockman purportedly acknowledged that he was carrying a firearm and said the handgun was inside his backpack. Campus security asked Stockman if they could take possession of the backpack and firearm, and Stockman reportedly agreed. Campus security escorted Stockman to the security office, searched the backpack and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. APD investigators noted in the complaint that campus security acted independently and they were not directed by any member of the Albuquerque Police Department to search the backpack.

An APD officer documented in court filings that campus security said multiple student witnesses reported hearing Stockman say, “If I fail this test, I’m going to shoot up the school.“

Other students also told APD investigators Stockman had recently made threatening remarks about the school and staff. The complaint says a student witness who was part of a study group with Stockman told investigators he had become increasingly aggressive in recent weeks over his grades and frustrations with the school administration.

According to court documents, the student said Stockman made statements during the previous week including, “You’re fucking with the wrong people,” and, “They’ll fucking shoot up the school.” When officers asked the student who they believed Stockman was referring to when Stockman said “they.” The student witness told investigators they believed Stockman was referring to teachers or school staff because “they would not allow him to make up missed assessments.” The student told APD officers that Stockman’s behavior on Wednesday heightened their concerns and they decided to report him to campus security.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Stockman told officers he had placed the handgun in his backpack because he had recently been caring for his 5-year-old son and believed it was a safe place to store the weapon. Stockman denied having any additional firearms in his truck or hotel room and declined officers’ requests to search either location.

Police detailed in the complaint that the handgun was loaded with eight rounds in the magazine, although no round was chambered. The firearm was not reported stolen. Firearms are generally prohibited on New Mexico college and university campuses, with limited exceptions such as for law enforcement officers or firearms lawfully secured inside of locked vehicles.

The complaint says investigators also determined Stockman did not possess a valid New Mexico concealed handgun license and alleged he was unlawfully carrying the firearm in his backpack. Stockman was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on charges of Bomb Scares Unlawful, Unlawful Carrying Deadly Weapon, and Unlawful Carrying of a Deadly Weapon on School Premises.

It is highly unlikely Stockman will be able to make up his assignments or take any final exams.