The attorney for the former Mississippi State University student taken into custody last week amid reports of an active shooter says his client is suffering because “somebody miscommunicated about threats.”
Charles Yoste, a Starkville attorney, has been hired by the family of Phu-Qui Cong “Bill” Nguyen.
“Bill has never been charged with anything anywhere or any time, including this incident,” Yoste said. “Somebody miscommunicated about threats on the campus and a shooter and now Bill is suffering for it.”
Nguyen, 20, of Madison, was detained by authorities on Aug. 27 following reports of an active shooter on MSU campus. MSU sent out a Maroon Alert that day describing an “active shooter” situation at the Drill Field. University officials later reported no shots were fired and that Nguyen, who was allegedly suicidal, was unarmed.
Officials said Nguyen was taken into custody on suspicion of disorderly conduct. However, the Associated Press reported County Prosecutor Haley Brown said no charges have been filed against Nguyen due to lack of evidence.
Nguyen’s family hired Yoste after Nguyen was unable to voluntarily check out from a mental hospital after he was detained. Yoste told The Dispatch his client was taken to a mental care facility in Columbus, rather than one in Jackson, as officials first reported following last week’s incident.
“They gave him the option to go to a hospital in Columbus or a place that would be worse,” Yoste said. “He opted for the hospital with the understanding that he could sign out when he wanted. That was not the case. He was committed to Willowbrook Behavioral Hospital (Baptist Behavioral Health Care) in Columbus.”
Nguyen left the medical facility Monday evening, according to Yoste.
MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter confirmed to The Dispatch on Thursday that Nguyen was taken to Baptist Behavioral Health Care in Columbus. Salter said the mix-up likely stemmed from confusion over Nguyen possibly being taken to one of the Baptist Health Systems facilities in Jackson.
Yoste said Nguyen has been “involuntarily” withdrawn from the university due to a violation of MSU’s code of conduct. He said Nguyen is also banned from MSU and will be arrested if he’s seen on university property.
MSU declined to comment on the specifics of Nguyen’s withdrawal.
“We don’t have any additional comments except to say the matter was handled through the routine disciplinary procedures of the university,” Salter said. “The division of Student Affairs has informed us that it was a withdrawal.”
Nguyen isn’t currently planning any legal action and Yoste said it’s “too premature” for such considerations.
“Bill Nguyen just wants to know where he can go to get his good name back,” Yoste later added.
A transcript MSU released after the incident last week detailed a call from Mississippi Highway Patrol to the university, where MHP reported a call about a potential active shooter on campus in Carpenter Hall. The university was already aware of a suicidal person in Carpenter Hall, according to the transcript.
Salter said MSU continues to stand by its alert decision, based on the information that was available at the time.
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