Ridgeland, SC, August 22, 2025
News Summary
A 19-year-old from Ridgeland has been barred from the USCB campus following a felony conviction for threatening someone with a gun. The incident, which occurred during a dispute in a dorm room, resulted in the teen receiving a year of probation and attending a gun safety class. USCB emphasizes strict campus safety policies prohibiting firearms to protect students and staff.
Ridgeland, SC – Teen Barred from USCB Campus After Gun Threat Incident
Cooper Ellis Bonds, a 19-year-old from Ridgeland, has been barred from the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) campus following a felony conviction related to a gun threat incident that took place in February. On August 12, Bonds pleaded guilty to pointing and presenting firearms at a person, which is classified as a felony under South Carolina law. As a result, he has received a no-trespass order for the USCB campus, which serves approximately 2,000 students across its Beaufort and Bluffton locations.
Bonds was sentenced to a year of probation and is required to complete a gun safety class. The court dismissed two additional charges related to the case, including a charge for carrying a gun on school property. The incident, which occurred on February 20, arose from a dispute during a gathering inside a dorm room, where Bonds was accused of threatening to shoot an emotional support dog.
Incident Overview
The series of events that led to Bonds’ conviction began when he was invited to the Bluffton campus by friends. Upon arrival, they noticed a Smith & Wesson pistol in his waistband and requested that he leave the firearm in his car, which he refused. A disagreement among friends regarding the behavior of one student’s emotional support dog escalated to a point where Bonds allegedly threatened the dog and drew his pistol from the kitchen counter. Bonds reportedly chambered a round and pointed the firearm around the room during this dispute.
Following the incident, Bonds was questioned by police on February 22, during which he denied pointing the gun at anyone, claiming he only directed it at the floor or ceiling. He stated he was unaware that having a firearm on school property was illegal. He was subsequently arrested at the Beaufort County police facilities after agreeing to turn himself in.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Bonds faced charges that included three counts of pointing and presenting firearms, but he ultimately pleaded guilty to one count, with the others being dismissed. Court officials also dismissed a pending charge of unlawfully carrying a pistol. His sentencing fell under South Carolina’s Youthful Offender Act, which is designed to provide leniency for younger individuals without a history of violent crime. Should Bonds violate the conditions of his probation, he risks a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Campus Safety Policies
The USCB campus has strict policies prohibiting weapons, aimed at ensuring the safety of its students and staff. Incidents like Bonds’ raise concerns about campus safety and the legal implications of bringing firearms onto educational facilities. Managing safety on college campuses is critical, especially with increasing dialogue around gun possession and ownership rights.
Conclusion
The situation involving Cooper Ellis Bonds serves as a pertinent reminder of the legal responsibilities associated with firearm ownership, particularly around educational institutions. It highlights the importance of complying with campus safety protocols and the serious consequences that can arise from ignoring such regulations.
FAQs
What happened with Cooper Ellis Bonds at USCB?
Cooper Ellis Bonds, a 19-year-old, was barred from the USCB campus after pleading guilty to pointing a firearm at someone during a dispute in a dorm room.
What was the outcome of the court proceedings?
Bonds received a year of probation, was ordered to attend a gun safety class, and was assigned a no-trespass order for the campus.
What are the penalties if Bonds violates probation?
If Bonds violates his probation conditions, he could face up to five years in prison.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Teen Barred from USCB Campus After Gun Threat Incident
- Wikipedia: Firearm
- Statesboro Herald: Student Killed in Shooting at Savannah State
- Google Search: gun threats on campus
- WXII12: Bird Flu Confirmed in Eastern North Carolina Wild Birds
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Control
- Your Island News: Girl Dead, 2 Minors Injured Following Burton Shooting
- Google News: campus gun incidents
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
