Cal Poly student who allegedly shot guns on campus can stand trial, judge rules

One of the Cal Poly students who allegedly stashed and shot guns on campus — including inside his campus apartment — was found competent to stand trial Monday.

Charles Hojaboom has been in San Luis Obispo County Jail custody since Dec. 14, after San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Timothy Covello found him to be a danger to the public.

Hojaboom and Brandon Pham, both 20, were arrested by Cal Poly police on Nov. 11 after officers found the two students along Poly Canyon Road in possession of a shotgun; a loaded, concealed pistol; and a knife, Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier told The Tribune at the time.

The officers also found a nearby campus sign with bullet holes, he said.

Texts and videos show the two students shot guns on campus at least four times, court records showed, including into the ceiling of Hojaboom’s campus apartment.

Hojaboom was charged with felony discharging a firearm with gross negligence, five felony counts of possessing a firearm on a college campus, felony shooting at an inhabited dwelling, felony possessing a knife on a college campus and misdemeanor possession of tools to commit vandalism.

Doubt was declared in his competency on May 29, court records showed.

To be competent to stand trial, a defendant must be able to understand the charges and be able to consult their lawyer to help with their defense. When a defendant is found incompetent, they receive court-ordered treatment to restore their competency before criminal proceedings can continue.

After expert testimony from two psychiatrists, San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Caroline Swynsen ruled Hojaboom was competent to stand trial, court records showed.

His next hearing was scheduled for Nov. 4.

Pham, meanwhile, pleaded no contest to three felony counts of possession of a loaded firearm on a college campus and felony shooting at an inhabited dwelling on Aug. 14.

He was sentenced to 210 days in county jail on Sept. 18.