Exactly seven days prior to the mass murders in Parkland, Florida, police may have averted another potential disaster. According to the Washington Post, authorities took an international student from China at the University of Central Florida into custody on Feb. 7 after he allegedly purchased an AR-15 Assault Rifle and displayed “disturbing behavior”. Currently, Wenliang Sun is under investigation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where he may face potential deportation.
His roommate told the Orlando Sentinel Sun seemed harmless at first, but changed dramatically and began acting unusual. ‘”Hey, look what I just got,”‘ the roommate quoted Sun as saying as the Chinese student pointed the weapon at the wall. The roommate immediately moved out of the apartment and alerted police.
UCF Police Chief Richard Beary said Sun purchased a $68,000 car, but never drove it. He also dyed his hair brown, gained weight, stopped going to class and stayed in his room more than usual.
Interestingly, there was no implicit threat made by Sun, however police say there were red flags that signaled something could indeed have occurred, had he not been taken into custody. WTVT reports authorities became increasingly concerned when Sun did not return their calls, despite informing him his immigration status could be in jeopardy. They believe they “just saved a bunch of lives.”
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RE: Chinese Student Deemed Threat after Purchasing High Powered Rifle: This is a result of China’s one child policy which places a burden on the child to succeed at all costs. I would surmise that he may be failing in his course of studies disappointing his parents.