Charge: Woman lied about seeing gunman at St. Paul College

The report on Sept. 23 prompted police to lock down the campus of St. Paul College and carry out a search of the buildings. The 42-year-old suspect's actions "are akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater," a city attorney said.

Star Tribune

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 11:38 PM

Several weeks after police SWAT teams descended on St. Paul College on a report of an agitated gunman in a campus elevator, the woman who reported seeing the gunman was charged this week with falsely reporting a crime.

St. Paul Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Schnell said Charleeta Deon Brown, 42, of St. Paul, told police that she concocted the story that led police to first lockdown the campus on Sept. 23 and then evacuate it while they searched for the gunman and gun.

Brown offered no explanation for making the false report and couldn't be reached for comment.

"The actions of the defendant in this case are akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater," said City Attorney John Choi. "The tragedies that have occurred on campuses around our country necessitate that school and police officials act quickly and decisively. Any person who falsely reports the presence of an armed man in a school deserves the attention of the criminal justice system."

The false alarm cost the Police Department about $10,000 in personnel costs, Schnell said.

The charge against Brown has led to her expulsion from the school, said St. Paul College spokesman Jim Stumne.

Brown's criminal history includes two convictions in 2007, one for misdemeanor theft and another for gross-misdemeanor check forgery.

PAUL WALSH