New Orleans police arrested three Loyola students early this morning for several instances of demanding money from Uptown pedestrians, according to a Loyola press release.

The students face charges of attempted robbery with a firearm, although the release says the weapon was a cap gun.

Management freshman Mohamed Diakite, finance junior Chukwuemeka Anigbo and biology freshman John A. White spent last night in central lockup.

The students have been suspended for seven days and barred from campus, said vice president for student affairs and assistant provost Cissy Petty.

The students will face a normal judiciary hearing by the University Board of Review after their suspension, according to the release. The Board of Review will determine final sanctions, which could include suspension for a year or expulsion.

The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, said, “Of course, the university is taking this incident very seriously, regardless of whatever circumstances are in this matter. Loyola does not approve of or allow our students to endanger themselves or others. Our responsibility is to the safety of our university community and our neighbors.”

“The students, faculty, and staff of our college are at once shocked and outraged, and very relieved and very grateful that no one was hurt,” said Petty.

University Police declined to give additional comment at this time, although they indicated that more information may be available tomorrow morning.

The Maroon will continue to report on this story as information becomes available.

Catherine Cotton can be reached at [email protected].