An employee of the College of Veterinary Medicine was arrested Monday after police discovered he had several weapons on campus.

Police charged medical technician Steven Patrick O’Connell, 56, with three counts of possessing a weapon on educational property after they allegedly found weapons in his work locker and car Friday. 

An anonymous tip prompted police to search O’Connell’s locker at the CVM where they found two handguns, an unloaded Colt “Delta Elite” 10mm pistol and a loaded Taurus .357 magnum revolver, according to Mick Kulikowski, assistant director of N.C. State News Services.

O’Connell permitted police to search his locker and was with the cops when they found the weapons, Kulikowski said. During the search, O’Connell reportedly became ill and was taken to Rex Hospital where he remained under police custody until he was released Monday and arrested.

In an article published in the News & Observer Tuesday, director for public relations at N.C. State, Frederick Hartman, said that O’Connell expressed surprise when the police discovered the guns in his locker.

Police also searched O’Connell’s car, which was located on campus, and found a Colt AR-15 rifle, two axes and a Gerber Mark II dagger. 

O’Connell has worked as an employee for the University continuously since June 1, 1989, and he worked for the University between 1984 and 1987 as well, according to Kulikowski.

There were no threats made and at no time do police believe anyone at the University was in danger, Kulikowski said.

In addition to the charges brought against O’Connell, Kulikowski said the employee has been trespassed from University property and will go through the University’s disciplinary review process. 

O’Connell was released after posting the $12,500 bail.