“He was arrested on his way into commencement; they have a security checkpoint and was found with two weapons,” Riley said, adding that the man is not a student.

Andrea Massa was stopped by BU police outside the ceremony on Nickerson Field, said Colin Riley, a university spokesman.

A 28-year-old Marshfield man was arrested Sunday afternoon after he tried to bring two guns into Boston University’s commencement ceremony, a school spokesman said.

During a brief telephone interview, a woman who would only identify herself as Massa’s relative said he was at the ceremony for his sister-in-law’s graduation.

“It was just a misunderstanding,” she said. “It’s going to get worked out.”


The university has implemented increased security measures for its graduation ceremonies since the Marathon bombings last year, Riley said. He said metal detectors were positioned at entrances to the field.

On Friday, the university had advised graduates as well as their friends and families that strict security measures would be in effect.

“All students, faculty, staff, volunteers, guests, and vendors will be subject to screening when entering any commencement weekend venue, possibly with a metal-detecting wand,” the university said.

Riley said the matter is under investigation, but no one at the ceremony appeared to be at significant risk.

Massa faces charges of disorderly conduct, carrying a firearm on school grounds, and violating the terms of his license to carry for hunting and target practice, which is a civil offense, according to a spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Brighton District Court.

Zachary T. Sampson can be reached at zachary.sampson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZackSampson.