John Mosby shot someone at college.

Mosby enrolled at Hampden College in Sydney in 1847 because his father had graduated from there. Mosby left school after two years because he couldn't keep up in his math class. He enrolled at the University of Virginia on October 3, 1850, declared a major in classical studies and joined the Washington Debate and Literary Society. He excelled at Latin, Greek, and literature all subjects he loved but arithmetic remained a challenge for him.

In the third year, Mosby got into a fight with a notorious bully named George R. Turpin. Turpin was the son of a tavern manager and was highly fit and physically impressive. One of the customs under the code of honor that Southern gentlemen had to follow was for Mosby to send Turpin a letter asking for an explanation after learning through a friend that Turpin had insulted him. Turpin loses his temper and threatens to "eat him alive" at their upcoming meeting. Despite the danger, Mosby decided to meet Turpin since running away would be embarrassing.

Mosby had a tiny pepperbox pistol with him when they first met on March 29 to dissuade Turpin from attacking. Mosby then reached for his gun and shot his adversaries in the neck. Mosby, a grieving 19-year-old, returned home to await his end.

It may be argued that it was self-defense because Mosby was being threatened by the offending student, who was also a bully. Mosby was arrested for illegal shooting, he injured but did not kill the student he was shooting. Mosby was pardoned by the governor of Virginia after serving seven months of his twelve-month sentence.