University police tasered a man and then took him into custody this morning for resisting arrest after they thought he might be holding a gun behind his back, university police said.
The man, 36-year-old Stephen Chu, did not have a gun when police arrived at the bus turnaround on Hilgard Avenue, and police did not find one in the area, said UCPD Capt. John Adams.
A man called police at 9:46 a.m. from the emergency phone at the bus turnaround and said a man had pointed a gun at him on a Big Blue Bus, Adams said.
The first police unit was on the scene within a minute, and found Chu sitting on the curb with his hands behind his back.
Police ordered him to show his hands, but Chu refused, Adams said. Police then warned him that they had a taser and would have to use it if he continued to be noncompliant. Chu did not show his hands, and police believed he may have been holding the gun behind his back, so an officer tasered him, Adams said.
Police arrested Chu for failing to comply and took him to the emergency room at 10:02 a.m., Adams said.
The entire incident lasted about 15 minutes, during which a total of nine officers were on scene.
Neither the caller nor Chu are students, and Chu does not have a permanent address, so it is possible he is homeless, Adams said.
Adams said it is possible the caller is homeless as well, though there is no confirmation of that.
Chu was arrested for a misdemeanor, so he will probably be taken to the station and released, Adams said.
He said the incident was contained quickly, and there is no danger to students.
Chu has been contacted numerous times for trespassing and lodging in on-campus facilities, Adams said.