Police arrested a 25-year-old man Tuesday morning for allegedly brandishing a firearm at the Butler Community College El Dorado campus.

El Dorado Police Lt. Justin Phillips said his department was contacted Monday by Marshall Matthews, Butler’s director of campus safety and security.

The incident occurred the evening of Sunday, Feb. 24, when a non-student, Brandon M. Johnson, 25, of Mulvane, came on campus and became involved in an altercation with at least one student. Allegedly, Johnson exhibited a gun and a confrontation ensued.

Phillips said Johnson was arrested at 11:14 a.m. Tuesday in West Wichita for aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery. He was booked into the Butler County Jail and Phillips said his department plans to present the case to the prosecutor today.

Phillips said several people were around when the incident occurred, but he’s still investigating what exactly happened. He did say there were no clear ties to gang activity.

Bill Rinkenbaugh, vice president for student services, said the event occurred outside after Johnson met the school’s track bus as it returned with students coming from the Region VI track meet in Manhattan. Though coaches waited as most students got into vehicles, once the group had dispersed, Johnson stopped them as they walked back to the dorms.

“This scenario could have been much worse,” Rinkenbaugh said. “I’m  thoroughly pleased it didn’t end up that way.”

Rinkenbaugh said the students involved will be subject to disciplinary measures, but he’s most disappointed that throughout the altercation, neither campus security nor the police were contacted. He said he intends to stress the importance of notifying security in these situations. 

Nevertheless, Rinkenbaugh praised the entities who helped with the investigation for the quick resolution.

“Obviously our work with the El Dorado Police Department, they were very helpful with the investigation to find out what did happen,” Rinkenbaugh said.

Hired at the start of this school year, Rinkenbaugh said Matthews’ presence on campus has been a “wonderful addition.”

Phillips said the investigation was assisted by officers from the Mulvane Police Department, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations.

“This cooperation between agencies resulted in a successful conclusion to this case,” Phillips said.