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Court documents have revealed more information about Mateu Healey-Parera, a 22-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Spain, who was found with a rifle on the Syracuse University campus. Healey-Parera, a senior at Cornell University, was arrested on Saturday (March 8) and charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds.
According to Syracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin, Healey-Parera purchased the .30-06 US Rock Island 1905 rifle legally in Syracuse. He was found with the rifle, equipped with a scope, and approximately 40 rounds of ammunition while waiting for a bus back to Ithaca. Healey-Parera told police he bought the gun as a precautionary measure in case he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
The arrest took place near the Schine Student Center just before a Syracuse University basketball game, attended by nearly 20,000 people. Authorities have confirmed there was no indication that the game was a target. The incident has sparked a multi-agency investigation involving the FBI and local law enforcement from both Syracuse and Ithaca.
Healey-Parera's lawyer, Jordan McNamara, stated that his client was simply waiting for a bus and had not brandished the weapon or threatened anyone. McNamara emphasized that Healey-Parera had the legal right to possess the rifle.
Healey-Parera was arraigned at the Onondaga County Justice Center, where he pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $100,000 bond. If released, he is expected to be transferred to a hospital under mental health hygiene laws. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine the suspect's motives.
The police have issued a formal trespass warning to Healey-Parera, banning him from all Syracuse University properties. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Syracuse Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division.