Gonzaga Univ. puts students on probation for using gun to scare off intruder

(CBS/AP) SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. has placed two students on probation for violating a weapons policy after one of them displayed a gun to drive off an intruder at their apartment.

Seniors Erik Fagan and Daniel McIntosh were informed Sunday of the probation, which will be in place for the rest of their time at the university, reports CBS affiliate KREM. The terms of the probation allows them to remain in the school. They had been facing expulsion. Both plan to appeal.

The Spokesman-Review reports a man came to their apartment door Oct. 24 demanding money and trying to force his way inside. He left when McIntosh showed he had a pistol.

According to KREM, the man was later arrested.

Campus police later took the pistol and a shotgun belonging to Fagan.

Gonzaga students are not allowed to have guns in university-owned housing.

Following the incident, the president of Gonzaga University, Thayne McCulloh, acknowledged in an e-mail to students Saturday that multiple calls had come in to reevaluate the school's policies on guns.

McCulloh said, as a Jesuit institution dedicated to thoughtful evaluation of complex social issues, he believes this is an opportunity to objectively re-examine their firearms policy, reports the station.