A 17-year-old boy who allegedly devised a plot to carry out an attack at his school is now in custody after his mother reported him to police, according to authorities.
The mother discovered a journal that contained threats against her and her boyfriend, as well as writings suggesting that the boy was going to attack College Place High School, near Walla Walla, Washington, on April 20, 2020—the 21st anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre.
"It's very detailed the way he wrote it... obviously there are times and a date was established of 4/20, 2020," Officer Dylan Schmick from College Place Police told KEPR. "We have to treat everything like it is the worst-case scenario."
Police say that the teen's writings contained graphic content that is too disturbing to share, as well as details of how he was going to carry out the attack, including specific firearms and explosives he wanted to use, and a location.
"We did not locate any firearms or explosives in the teen's possession. However, we did locate literature on how to develop explosives and other weapons," Schmick told HuffPost.
Police commended the mother for her courage, acknowledging that her actions may have saved lives.
"The mother was very emotional and loves her son," College Place Police Chief Troy Tomaras said in a statement. "This was not an easy thing to do, but it was the right thing to do. The mother wanted to prevent others from being hurt, and wants her son to get the help he needs."
The school district issued a statement encouraging students and staff to be "aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities."
"The simple philosophy is 'see something, say something,'" Jim Fry, Superintendent of College Place Public Schools, said. "It's a safe place today, it will be a safe place tomorrow... it is unfortunate that this situation happened here."
The teen—who faces charges of felony harassment and threats to bomb or injure property—is currently being held at the Walla Walla Juvenile Justice Center while police investigate. The school says extra police will be patrolling its premises.
"How many times have we heard about incidents and then after the fact we start to learn these things?" Schmick said.
On Wednesday, another school just an hour's drive away from College Place was placed on lockdown after a student allegedly threatened to carry out an attack. The Richland High student was subsequently arrested.
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