Campus Safety, LASD release man suspected of attempting to bring gun onto campus

Austin Green, Kyle Kohner, Pierce Singgih, and Christian Leonard • November 20, 2018

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department personnel examine evidence after arresting a man suspected of bringing a gun onto campus on Nov. 20, 2018.

Photo courtesy of Pierce Singgih / THE CHIMES

UPDATE NOV. 20, 9:30 P.M.: This article was updated with information concerning the individual’s name, age and release from law enforcement custody.

A man was arrested by Campus Safety and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department near the La Mirada Boulevard entrance Tuesday night. Ben Coffman was charged with coming onto campus with a gun but was later released, authorities said.

Coffman, whom Campus Safety Chief John Ojeisekhoba describes as a man in his 50s, had a concealed carry permit from Orange County, but the California Penal Code prohibits non-law enforcement members from bringing guns onto college campuses even if they have permits, according to Ojeisekhoba.

“We had a call from the gate attendant, who recognized a male—older male,” Ojeisekhoba said. “The male, about a week ago, had come by there and asked if the campus was a gun-free zone. The attendant told him, ‘Yes, gun-free zone—you can’t carry a weapon on campus.’ The gate attendant then notified a [Campus Safety] officer. Before the officer got there, the individual had taken off.”

According to Ojeisekhoba, Coffman came back at 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, when the same gate attendant recognized him and alerted Campus Safety. The LASD responded to campus and confirmed Coffman had a handgun concealed on his side.

A mass text sent via Biola’s emergency alert system at 7:20 p.m. said that the campus was not at risk. The La Mirada Boulevard entrance was closed for a brief time while law enforcement handled the situation.

According to Ojeisekhoba, the man appeared to be living out of his car and claimed he planned to go on a run on the track around Al Barbour Field.

“He said he wanted to come and run on the track, but you don’t run on the track with a pair of jeans and a button up shirt and shoes, Ojeisekhoba said. “So, that’s what we’re still trying to sort out here.”

At this time, it is unclear whether the man has any connection to Biola.

The LASD will follow up with the case. Ojeisekhoba believes Coffman will heed the trespassing warning and his ban from campus and that he does not pose a threat to the Biola community.

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About the Contributors

Austin Green, Managing Editor

Austin Green is a junior journalism major who was first among his friends to predict that LeBron James would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. When not focused on school or work, he enjoys watching sports, going to the beach or coffee shops, and hanging out with the guys on his dorm floor. [email protected] I laughed the first time I heard a former editor-in-chief use the line “once you join the Chimes, you never really leave.” Now in my third year here, it turns out the joke’s on me. After two years in the sports section, including last year as sports editor, I’m thrilled to be serving this year as managing editor to help build upon the legacy of such a great publication. My aspirations remain in sports journalism, but experience has deepened my love for dedicated local news reporting and its importance in communities. Much of my appreciation for that type of journalism came through working as a digital production intern for NBC Los Angeles last summer. There I helped cover stories such as the Trader Joe’s hostage crisis, the Cranston and Holy wildfires, and the Lakers’ overhaul of their iconic uniforms. I am so excited to help build this next chapter of the Chimes as we become a web-first publication with a deeper, dedicated focus on the communities in and around campus. I also contribute a print sports column, “Everything Eagles,” which provides a deeper look into Biola Athletics.

Kyle Kohner, Copy Editor & Office Manager

Amid his final year with the Chimes, Kyle is a four-year vet of the publication. Before this year, Kyle began his tenure like most at the Chimes—as a freelancer and an apprentice. He’s also held positions as the online editor and the A&E staff writer in the past. He also demands that you all go watch the movie “Hereditary.” Hello there! My name is Kyle Kohner, born and raised in San Bernardino, California. I am a senior journalism student at Biola University and a self-proclaimed film buff and music addict. A movie and music critic by trade, I am a firm believer that watching film and listening to music go hand-in-hand. Because the two mediums make the world go round and humanity sane, I see it is as my job and passion to discern the good from the bad within the differing yet kindred realms of entertainment. Aside from passion for the arts, it is probably worth noting that I am the Chimes’ office manager and copy editor. I, alongside Victoria try to make sure that the content produced by this publication are without flaws. If you see an article containing the wrong usage of “they’re” or “Its,” it’s probably my fault. Outside of the Chimes, I can be seen—you guessed it—listening to music and watching movies. But I also have a deep passion for street photography.

Pierce Singgih, Editor-in-Chief (Fall 2019)

Pierce Singgih is a senior journalism major who keeps postponing graduation. When he’s not writing or editing, he can be found watching a Noah Baumbach film or drinking coffee. [email protected] I transferred to Biola as a biology major in 2017. You read that right. I wanted to be a doctor. After a semester here, and a few semesters of biology at community college, I realized I had zero desire to pursue a career in medicine. With no direction and little experience writing, I took a leap of faith into journalism. Now, after two years in the program, a few internships and my time with the Chimes, I’ve fallen in love with storytelling. At its core, journalism is the voice of the community. Journalists provide a voice to the voiceless, standing up for those can’t stand up for themselves. I love representing a community and its people, bringing their voice to life in order to make real change. Last summer, I interned for the Los Angeles Daily News where I did just that. I submerged myself in the San Fernando Valley –– a Los Angeles community –– covering breaking news, crime, elections and homelessness, among other issues. I also contribute to Film School Rejects, an online entertainment publication where I’ve covered the Los Angeles Film Festival and have certified film reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, I’m excited to follow in the footsteps of Editors-in-Chief before me and lead the Chimes into a new era of journalistic excellence.

Christian Leonard, Editor-in-Chief

Christian Leonard is a junior journalism major whose affinity for chickens is really getting out of hand. He can often be found singing in the office, wrapped around a book, or arguing for the classification of cereal as a soup. [email protected] I came to Biola a nervous freshman, not really sure what I wanted to do during my time at university. Years of prayer and waiting seemed fruitless, until an academic counselor recommended I contact the Chimes, since I had shown a modest interest in journalism. I figured it was worth a shot, so I got in touch with the news editors. After a brief chat, I left, figuring I would write for them the following semester. I was assigned my first story a few days later. The following semester, I became a news apprentice, stepping into a full editorship my sophomore year. Through the experience, I gained a greater appreciation for the bustling community that is Biola—its students, its administration, and its culture—and a deeper desire to serve it through storytelling. As my time as news editor drew to a close, I was encouraged to apply for the editor-in-chief position, a prospect which both intimidated and thrilled me. Yet I ultimately saw it as a way to better support the publication through which God showed me His desire for my life. Now, as I oversee the Chimes, I am committed to upholding myself and the newspaper to standard of excellence, and to helping train the next generation of student journalists.

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Campus Safety, LASD release man suspected of attempting to bring gun onto campus

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