I Wish I Were In Paris

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Thursday, October 11, 2007

School Rampage Thwarted

Finally, there's a story to report that actually has a good ending. A school rampage was thwarted in Pennsylvania.

Police: Pennsylvania boy planned 'Columbine' event at high school

CNN) -- Police have taken into custody a 14-year-old boy who is suspected of planning a "Columbine" type event at a Pennsylvania high school, a police spokesman said.

Police in Plymouth Township near Philadelphia took the boy into custody after a search of his home turned up a number of weapons, including a 9 mm rifle with a laser scope and dozens of air guns, said Deputy Chief Joe Lawrence.

Police also found an operational hand grenade, three other hand grenades in the process of construction, bomb-making equipment, manuals and 30 powered weapons that fire BBs.

The boy's mother bought the rifle for him several weeks ago at a gun show, police said. No ammunition was found for the rifle.

The grenades were made with plastic casings that authorities believe the boy bought on the Internet, Lawrence said. The operational hand grenades included black powder, BBs and a fuse believed used in fireworks.

Lawrence said police are also investigating whether the boy's mother bought him black powder used in the grenades.

The boy was making the grenades in his bedroom, he said.

In addition to the weapons, authorities found a hand-painted Nazi flag and a video about the Columbine shootings, District Attorney Bruce Castor said.

It is my judgment that this individual considered that something to be glorified and was doing so," he said.

Two students opened fire at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, on April 20, 1999. They killed 13 people and wounded 23 others before killing themselves.

The 14-year-old is expected to appear in juvenile court Friday to face charges that could include making terroristic threats, criminal solicitation, weapons possession, and possession and manufacturing of weapons of mass destruction, police said.

If he's found delinquent, he could face jail time and counseling.

The boy's mother and father may face criminal charges pending an investigation, police said.

Police acted on a tip they received at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday from a Plymouth Whitemarsh High School student and his father, school officials said. The 14-year-old was taken into custody at his home about 10 p.m.

"The boy who gave the tip was one who was trying to be recruited," Castor added. "He was a friend of the boy in the loosest terms."

Officials said they think the tip was prompted by Wednesday's shooting at a school in Cleveland, Ohio.

"We have no information at this point that leads us to think this is other than an isolated individual who was trying to recruit others to help," Castor said.

School officials said the boy is not a student at the school.

"This was a youth in the community who has not been enrolled in school since spring of 2006," according to Dave Sherman, spokesman for Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.

The school has an enrollment of 1,591 students in grades nine through 12. No classes are being canceled because of the incident, school officials said Thursday.

Plymouth Township is about 15 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Nice!! Nothing says good parenting like buying your kid a gun, and weapon-making materials.

For all of those out there that think guns are great, imagine these being used against your children. Imagine the damage that these weapons can inflict. These were at his disposal, and he was intent on using them against innocent people including children.

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4 Comments:

  • At 10:15 PM, Blogger Gwen Patton, NG3P said…

    Only one of the "weapons", a Hi-Point 9mm carbine, was actually a real firearm.

    The rest of that tableful of "guns" are TOYS. They are airsoft pellet guns that shoot little 6mm plastic balls that have just about enough force to splatter a stinkbug. In some of the pictures, you can even see the little orange tip on the barrel.

    That array of "firepower" is nonsense, designed to make people think this kid is a maniac with some kind of huge stockpile of real guns. It just isn't true.

    He didn't even have ammo for the one REAL gun -- the $200 crappy carbine -- that his Mom bought.

    (There's no evidence that he had it in his possession with her permission, either. It might have belonged in a locked cabinet, and he might have snuck it out. A parent CAN purchase a firearm and legally allow a child to use it under their supervision. But the child cannot OWN a rifle until he or she is at least 18.)

     
  • At 6:41 AM, Blogger ParisL0ve2 said…

    It doesn't matter Gwen!! Have you ever been shot with a BB Gun? They can, and have killed people before.

    This "firepower" is designed to make the kid look like a maniac, and it's not true? What else would you classify him as? Silly me but if someone is plotting to carryout a massacre, I would say that person is a maniac. Oh, but let's pretend that nothing is wrong, and continue to treat people with "kid gloves" because we refuse to face reality!!

    There is no evidence that he had it in his possession with her permission, either? His MOTHER bought it for him because she said that she felt he needed it. So yes, he had it in his possession with HER PERMISSION. But it really doesn't matter whether she gave permission or not. The fact of the matter is that he lived in her house, and was in possession of that gun along with other "weapons". She is responsible for knowing what her kid is up to. You can't tell me that she was completely clueless about what he was doing. That's like saying the parents of the Columbine shooters knew nothing about their kids building bombs and stockpiling weapons in THEIR homes. Saying they didn't is just an attempt to wash their hands of any responsibility.

     
  • At 6:47 AM, Blogger ParisL0ve2 said…

    People need to grow up and wake up.

    Stop pretending that everything is great. Stop acting like it's OKAY for kids to get their hands on weapons. Stop blaming everything except for the REAL PROBLEM.

    One potential massacre was averted. But I guarantee you that others will not. Unless you enjoy massacres like the ones that took place at VT or Columbine, I suggest you take your blinders off and stop being ignorant. GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT GOING TO END UNTIL WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT GUNS!!

     
  • At 9:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    These bb's guns were pieces of plastic. They shot pieces of plastic. I have been shot by a bb gun, and they hurt, but they could, in no way, kill a person. Blind, yes, kill no.

    The fact that this boy shouldn't have possessed this weapon was self evident. Aside from it being against the law, the child had issues. It also sounds as if the mom did as well. Should not have had it. Period.

    "GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT GOING TO END UNTIL WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT GUNS!!"
    Caps doesn't make this the least bit true. Guns are not the problem. We need to start caring about our children and people in general. If we took a few moments out of our lives to help a neighbor out, or visit a retirement home, this world would be a better place. If you teach and show care and love, then most people, especially children will do it in kind.

    I am a proud firearm owner. I have been hunting and target shooting since I was seven years old. I have been taught that a firearm is a responsibility. One that you do not take lightly. I have tried to lead a good life. I'm a police officer in training. I care about people. Don't let stereotypes or anti-gunner lies about people like me fool you. Explore the world for yourself, and you may be surprised at what you find.

     

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