New Jersey sixth grade arrested and charged for plotting Newtown, Columbine style attack on school
New Jersey police have filed juvenile charges against a sixth grader who allegedly planned a school shooting similar to Columbine or Newtown.
As the suspect in question is a minor, so police have not released his name.
photo/Fbi.gov public domain
The plan, which named 40 district students and some celebrities as possible targets and was developed when the student was enrolled at Central elementary school, was discovered after police seized a computer from the student’s home following an investigation that began in April, Wall Township Police Lt. John Brockriede said.
“We believe it was more of a fantasy-type thing he had,’’ Brockriede said. “Not something he was capable of actually carrying out.’’
Nonetheless, Brockriede described the plan as “elaborate.’’
In their investigation, police found a list of 40 district students’ names, identified by first name only, who were potential targets in the plan, along with some celebrities also targeted for violence, Brockriede said.
“There were elements of fantasy in this plan,’’ Brockriede said. “There were things that he just couldn’t have possibly accomplished.’’
The students named in the list were tracked down and their parents were notified by police, Brockriede said.
At least one member of the student’s family has weapons, but at no time did the student have access to the weapons called for in his plan, Brockriede said.
Charges are pending, he said, but Brockriede declined to say what they were pending a filing with the court system.
