TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A convicted felon who was arrested for bringing a gun to Florida State University's campus in November is now behind bars for taking one to a Tallahassee preschool.
Ronnie Lanier, 29, of Tallahassee was jailed on Monday for the latest charges. He had bonded out on previous gun charges stemming from him bringing a fully loaded gun to the FSU University Center Club on Nov. 17.
A probable cause document says that days earlier on Nov. 7, Lanier went to Horizons Preschool on Orange Avenue where he confronted the victim over a disagreement over him disrespecting someone they both knew.
Investigators say Lanier showed up at the preschool and confronted the victim over her picking sides in the argument.
At some point, Lanier either pulled firearm out of his pants or it fell down his pants leg and he picked it up to hold it. The victim said that Lanier then told her that if the she picked sides, she knew what he would do to her.
In a later interview, the victim told a Tallahassee Police Department investigator that Lanier did not threaten her, and only scolded her for taking sides, saying he was tired. She said he did not point the gun at her.
According to court documents, the victim said that when he turned to leave, she grabbed his arm to try to ask him why he was confronting her at the job but he pulled away and walked out the building.
Another witness at the preschool told the investigator that he saw an upset Lanier exit the school. He said Lanier was talking about people telling him what to do. The witness said that he tried to calm Lanier, but was unable to before he walked away.
Documents say that when investigators spoke with Lanier, he said he did not pull a gun or threaten the victim. He told them that the gun in his waistband fell down his pant leg, so he picked it up and decided to leave.
He also told them that the FSU Police Department seized the gun in question when he was arrested on Nov. 17.
Based on the evidence, investigators found probable cause to charge Lanier with possession of firearm on school property, possession of firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed firearm without a license.
He was taken into custody and booked into the Leon County Detention Center Tuesday on a $25,000 bond.
Employee arrested after bringing loaded gun onto FSU's property
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A convicted felon who was employed by the University Center Club was arrested after bringing a gun with a fully loaded 10 round magazine onto FSU's property.
Ronnie Lanier, 29, was arrested by the Florida State University Police Department on Saturday. He was employed by FSU's University Center Club, which is managed by University Club Management, Inc.
On Saturday at about 11:04 p.m., officers were called to the 5th floor of FSU's University Club, Building B, in response to a firearm.
When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with a University Club employee. While talking with officers, he said he was notified that Lanier had brought a handgun to work.
According to the employee, the handgun was in Lanier's tote bag in an unsecured closet.
The employee told officers that he felt the outside of the tote bag and felt the handgun, which was contained in a holster. He then felt inside the tote bag to confirm it was a gun before contacting FSUPD.
While on scene, officers also confirmed there was a handgun and ammunition inside the tote bag.
When Lanier spoke with officers, he said his girlfriend was the owner of the gun and they stored it in his tote bag.
Lanier stated the handgun was loaded and the safety was on. Police documents said the gun was a Taurus 9mm, with a fully loaded 10 round magazine and one round in the chamber.
Based on evidence gathered by officers, Lanier is being charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm on school property.
He was taken to the Leon County Detention Facility and is being held on $12,500 bond.
Lanier was convicted of armed robbery with a deadly weapon back in September 2012.
