Updated as of 6:15 to include additional information from court documents.
Updated as of 4:42 to include additional information on the suspect.
Elon University officials announced April 9 that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the April 5 assault in the Mill Point neighborhood, according to a campuswide email.
Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley wrote in the email that an individual, who is not affiliated with the university, was taken into custody with assistance from the Gibsonville Police Department.
In an interview with Elon News Network on April 10, Interim Chief of Campus Safety & Police Doug Dotson said that Antonio Burns of Gibsonville has been charged in connection with the incident. Burns faces charges of felony possession of a firearm on educational property, misdemeanor assault on a female, misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor false imprisonment.
“This is all stemming from the same event, same incident,” Dotson said.
As of April 10, Dotson said Burns had been taken to jail and was awaiting arraignment in Alamance County court. He said it was unclear whether the arraignment would take place that afternoon or be delayed until a later date.
According to court documents, Burns allegedly possessed a black and silver handgun on the property. He is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court May 1.
The arrest follows an E-Alert sent to students, faculty and staff April 5 warning of the reported assault involving a gun and urging community members to remain vigilant.
Dooley also thanked Elon University Campus Safety and Police for their response and emphasized the role of the community in maintaining campus safety.
“This incident is also a reminder of the important role that each of us plays in promoting the safety and well-being of our community,” Dooley wrote.
Abby Gravely and Mackenzie Cruz contributed to the reporting of this story.