RIPTA releases bus footage of armed man moments before CCRI campus lockdown

LINCOLN, R.I. (WJAR) -- Surveillance footage has emerged detailing the alarming events leading up to an armed man's entrance at CCRI's Flanagan campus in March. The suspect, 48-year-old Junior Sage from Woonsocket, was apprehended on March 6 after prompting a campus lockdown. Security footage from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority captured Sage in a heated argument with two other passengers on a RIPTA bus prior to the incident.

In the video, Sage, dressed in a grey hoodie and black jacket, is seen arguing and displaying a small knife multiple times. Shortly after, he reveals an airsoft gun, tucking it under his waistband before exiting the bus and heading into the campus. Alerts soon notified students of the armed individual, resulting in a swift lockdown.

Freshman Tiffany Downing expressed her unease upon viewing the footage, noting the potential danger of the situation. "It’s a little nerve-wracking but I’m glad nothing happened," she remarked. Fellow student Alex Hagenberg recounted his experience during the incident, recalling seeing police cars and receiving confusing lockdown alerts that did not initially clarify the situation.

While Downing was not present during the incident, she learned about it through concerned friends and family. The atmosphere remained tense as students received notifications about the lockdown. Meanwhile, Hagenberg identified where he believed Sage exited the campus, reflecting on the bizarre nature of the situation, where the armed individual was discussing safety with other students.

Despite the frightening event, both Downing and Hagenberg praised the campus security and local police for their quick response. They both expressed a sense of security on campus, highlighting the presence of security measures. However, Downing advocated for more stringent gun reform to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the need to keep firearms out of the hands of those who may misuse them.