Police report confirms ‘accidental shooting’ in Flynn Hall

The firearm discharge that injured a St. Thomas student Friday night was an “accidental shooting,” according to a report filed by the St. Paul Police Department.

A St. Thomas student was in stable condition at Regions Hospital following surgery for a head wound after accidentally being shot by another student on the fourth floor of Flynn Hall.

No new details had been released by the university as of Monday morning; the school sent out a system-wide email Saturday night that linked to an online statement.

Police said the victim was a male. The university’s statement said the student involved in the discharge of the weapon was no longer on campus; the police have the firearm.

University policy on firearms prohibits all weapons on campus, with very narrow exceptions for law enforcement.

“Violation of this policy by an employee or student will result in discipline, up to and including immediate termination of employment or expulsion from the university,” according to the weapons policy.

According to Minnesota law, the punishment for an accidental discharge of a firearm in city limits depends on whether the person involved is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

No arrests have been made, police said. The suspect “was cooperative throughout,” police said.