Charges have been dropped against Jawon Jackson based on the lack of evidence.

ISU Police Cmdr. Gene Deisinger said police had yet to find a weapon and although they are still searching for one, there was no longer probable cause to hold Jackson.

Deisinger said ISU Police had collaborated with the Story County Attorney’s Office on Sunday morning when the incident was reported in Willow Hall. He said both offices had determined there was probable cause to arrest Jackson.

Jackson was arrested and charged with going armed with intent (a Class D felony), carrying a weapon on school grounds (a Class D felony), and first-degree harassment (an aggravated misdemeanor) on Sunday and was released at approximately 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

Police were unable to find a weapon even after obtaining a warrant to search Jackson’s car, Deisinger said.

Deisinger said police had “pretty much exhausted the areas we had access to.” Locked rooms cannot be searched, he said.

According to the press release, a witness said there may not have actually been a handgun involved.

These developments prompted ISU Police and the Story County Attorney’s Office to request that the charges against Jackson be dropped “without prejudice.”

Deisinger said “without prejudice” meant that should further investigation reveal that Jackson did indeed commit the crimes he was charged with, he could be arrested again.

Deisinger declined to say how many witnesses said they had seen Jackson with a gun. He also could not comment on the prior relationship between the witnesses and Jackson.

Jackson was an authorized guest of one of the witnesses said Jerry Stewart, director of public safety.

Though Stewart declined to say which witnesses knew him, Jackson was found in Room 6253 of Willow Hall, which is occupied by Brinn Melody, freshman in kineseology and health, and Elise Pederson, freshman in pre-business.

Neither Melody nor Pederson wished to comment on the situation.