Talon Marks Online News

A cast member of the Cerritos College Theater Department’s upcoming play “Romeo and Juliet” was arrested on Tuesday night for possession of a loaded firearm inside the green room of the Burnight Center Theatre.

The individual has been identified as Steve Miller, who was scheduled to play Prince Escalus.

Miller will not take part in the play anymore due to the arrest. His role has been taken over by a different actor.

According to Cerritos College Chief of Police Richard Bukowiecki, Miller, who was not a Cerritos College student, was found brandishing a knife, and police found more than a loaded gun in his backpack once he was detained.

Police later searched a backpack that Miller admitted to owning and found the following:

• Two .380 Caliber Pistols with a round chambered and a magazine loaded with six rounds engaged.

• 9 milimeter magazine loaded with 10 rounds

• A Starter pistol loaded with six blanks

• A folding knife with a 3 ½ blade.

• Two opaque cylindrical containers

• A flask containing a liquid with a smell to that of an alcoholic beverage.

According to cast member Steven Luna, Miller also made Theater Production Manager Etta Walton and a production crew member uncomfortable with verbal threats.

The police report stated that an individual called campus police because he noticed that Miller brought guns that looked real.

Police arrived, searched Miller, and found a fixed blade knife in a sheath attached to the belt in the middle of his back.

Miller was searched and arrested. Police did not find any more weapons on his person.

Miller explained to the police officers the reason why he was carrying weapons, “for protection. I’ve been mugged before and shot at.”

According to the police report, Miller had multiple handguns registered to him in various calibers.

Miller has been booked for possession of “dirk/dagger” on school grounds, possession of firearm on school grounds, and possession of ammunition.

Cerritos College Campus Police have released a safety alert issuing a warning for all members of the Cerritos College Community to be on the lookout for Miller.

Director of “Romeo and Juliet” John Zamora declined to give further detail about the situation.

“I have nothing to say about it.”

Etta Walton has not responded for comment.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Stephen Johnson feels that students should take the safety alert seriously.

“We do take campus safety important, we won’t tolerate guns on campus,” he said.

Students spoke about their concerns after hearing about the incident.

Accounting Major Elizabeth Mwansa would not feel comfortable coming to school knowing that students could carry loaded guns on campus.

“I don’t think that it’s safe at all. It should be kept at home.

“Even if they have a permit, gun owners should keep them at home and definitely not bring them to school,” Mwansa said.

Jasmyne Clark, dance major stated, “It could go off on accident.”

Not everyone feels negatively about the idea of students carrying weapons on campus, including loaded guns.

“I believe if you have a concealed weapons permit you should be allowed to have it. You shouldn’t depend on other people to protect you. You have to protect yourself,” English major Hsiao Hsu said.

Hsu also said, “I would rather defend myself with a weapon than without one.”

Johnson encourages students to sign up for the text alert services for future dangerous incidents.

Students can sign up at www.cerritoscollege.us.