FAYETTEVILLE — A University of Arkansas student pleaded guilty as part of a plea bargain Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a gun in a publicly owned building.
Matthew Williamson, 37, a work study receptionist, took a gun to the KUAF studio Feb. 8. Williamson accidentally shot himself in the hand while taking the gun out of his backpack to show it to a friend. He was later treated and released from Washington Regional Medical Center.
KUAF is a National Public Radio affiliate. The university owns the radio station property on South School Avenue.
Williamson told Judge William Storey the accidental discharge was a “combination of laziness and stupidity.” Williamson said he was planning to go to a shooting range later in the day and brought the gun with him to work rather than taking a few more minutes to go home and put it up.
Storey sentenced Williamson to one year probation, 100 hours of community service and fined him $1,000.
Matt Durrett, chief deputy prosecuting attorney, said it didn't appear Williamson had any intent to hurt anyone and carrying the gun to work wasn't something Williamson normally did.
“The fact that he brought it in to save some time is certainly no defense but it does tend to mitigate his situation some and showed somewhat what his intent was,” Durrett said.
Police said they found a Taurus Judge revolver with one spent .410 round and several live .410 and .45 rounds in Williamson’s book bag.
Williamson originally faced a felony charge of illegally possessing a gun on a college campus.
The incident was investigated by the University of Arkansas Police Department.