Mateu Healey-Parera ’26 was arrested on Saturday after the Syracuse Police Department found him carrying a firearm at Syracuse University, according to a Sunday SPD information release. Healey-Parera was waiting for a bus back to Ithaca when he was arrested, according to a statement by Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety.
Healey-Parera has no affiliation with Syracuse University and was found at approximately 4 p.m. in possession of the firearm at Syracuse University’s Schine Student Center on Saturday. In a press conference on Monday, SPD’s Chief of Police Mark Rusin stated that the firearm was a “bolt action rifle” that was “carried in a case,” and that Healey-Parera was found with 40 rounds of ammunition.
Healey-Parera is from Mansfield Center, Connecticut and enrolled in the College of Art, Architecture and Planning.
Healey-Parera was charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, a felony under New York State law. He was arraigned Sunday morning, and his bail was set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
When asked during the press conference if Healey-Parera had a history of threats or mental illness as a student at Cornell, Rusin said that it is “too early on in the investigation” to address these questions, and that SPD is investigating the case with the Cornell University Department of Safety.
“We are asking the same question that you are asking,” Rusin said.
An extreme risk protection order, which is a court order issued when a person may be dangerous to themselves or others that prohibits the purchase or possession of firearms, was secured by the Syracuse University Police Department, Syracuse University DPS, the Onondaga County District Attorney Office and Tompkins County District Attorney Office, which contained a search provision for Healey-Parera’s residence, according to Rusin.
Rusin also stated that the reason why the rifle was purchased and why Healey-Parera was traveling between Syracuse and Ithaca are a part of an “ongoing investigation.”
In a statement to the Cornell community released on Monday, Vice President for University Relations Kyle Kimball confirmed that Healey-Parera was a Cornell student and thanked the “swift action” of the Syracuse University DPS and SPD.
“We are deeply concerned by this incident and extend our support to the entire Syracuse University community,” Kimball wrote. “We encourage Cornell community members impacted by this news to access university resources.”
SPD information release stated that there is “no ongoing threat to the public.” Individuals with information are encouraged to contact SPD’s Criminal Investigations Division at 315-442-5222.
Individuals with concerns surrounding their safety or well-being are encouraged to seek support. For immediate threats to life, please contact 911 for assistance. Cornell’s Public Safety Communications Center and Cornell University Police Department can be reached at 607-255-1111 or publicsafety@cornell.edu.
Students in need of professional support can email Student Support and Advocacy Services at studentsupport@cornell.edu or call Counseling and Psychological Services at 607-255-5155. Employees can call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at 607-255-2673. An Ithaca-based crisis line is available at 607-272-1616. The Tompkins County-based Advocacy Center is available at 607-277-5000. For additional resources, visit health.cornell.edu/services/victim-advocacy.
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
