Undercover agents arrested an underage man in Rolando on alcohol violations Friday night and then discovered multiple weapons, gasoline and firearms in his car, San Diego State University police confirmed.
According to Capt. Lamine Secka of the SDSU Police Department, the underage suspect bought alcohol with a fake ID from a CVS store located at 6250 El Cajon Blvd. at around 7:30 p.m.
Secka said undercover officers working a joint detail with SDSU police made a stop on the suspect’s vehicle for alcohol violations in the parking lot of the CVS. That’s when they found the arsenal of weapons inside his car.
“Upon further investigation they discovered weapons, gasoline canisters and other items of concern,” explained Secka. “[We are concerned] because of the amount of firearms and fuel.”
Secka said the suspect – who is underage -- was also under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested at the scene for alcohol-related violations including suspicion of DUI, possession of a fake ID, possession of alcohol and purchasing alcohol.
A bomb squad was called to the scene for back up.
According to Secka, the "items of concern" found in the suspect’s car include several “assault-type weapons,” though they have yet to be officially identified. Secka said officials have not yet determined whether the weapons are in the suspect's possession legally.
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Secka also said police are still investigating what the suspect was doing with all of those weapons in his car in the first place.
“[We have] no information as to what his intent was with these weapons at this point, that will be part of the investigation as we move forward,” Secka told NBC 7 at the scene.
As of 10 p.m., the bomb squad and MAST from the San Diego Fire Department were at the scene investigating and clearing the suspect’s vehicle.
The area was blocked off to traffic as officials worked the scene.
On Saturday NBC 7 learned the name of the suspect, identified as 20-year-old David Moore III.
Officials said they found at least two rifles and a half-dozen shotguns among Moore's arsenal of weapons stashed in his car.
According to SDSU police, Moore is a student at SDSU majoring in engineering. He’s a local, not an out-of-state student.
SDSU police said at least nine guns were taken into custody from Moore’s vehicle, including rifles, a shotgun and one handgun.
Officials said one of the firearms is in violation of California assault rifle laws because of the combination of features on the gun, including a thumb-hole stock, flash suppressor and detachable magazine.
As of Monday, SDSU police said they were still investigating whether the guns are legally registered to Moore. If they’re not, police said that isn’t necessarily against the law, but he may not be able to get the weapons back.
Officials confirmed Moore has no prior criminal record. They also said there was no indication there was something “brewing” prior to his arrest and the seizure of multiple guns from his car.
Police also checked Moore’s residence, which is at an apartment building off Montezuma near the SDSU campus. Hazmat is also working closely with SDSU police, who are continuing their investigation into Moore.
Check back for updates.
