On the local television news today, and on NPR this afternoon, I heard reporters say, in reference to the shooting at an Oakland, California college yesterday, that (I’m paraphrasing):

“The college is reporting that the shooting suspect was a former student of the college.”

Now, keep in mind that the suspect is under arrest and in jail.

Hence, wouldn’t it be correct to say that “he is a former student”?  Or, “he was a student”?

It’s simply incorrect to use was and former in the same sentence like that.