SCHOOL SHOOTING AVERTED THANKS TO FACEBOOK CHAT
March 2nd, 2010
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. — For the second time in a month, B.C. Mounties may have thwarted a violent attack on a school in the United States.
A 17-year-old youth from Brewster, Wash., is in jail and facing charges of conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree, thanks to a tip from the parents of a 14-year-old girl from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. The two teens had been chatting on Facebook last week when the American youth explained his plans to go to school and begin shooting people.
The girl’s parents learned of the threats and called police, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Lee Omilusik. Local investigators then called the Brewster Police Department in Washington.
“They were very appreciative of getting the information, that’s for sure,” said Sgt. Omilusik.
Based on information from the RCMP, Brewster police launched an investigation, which led to the charges being laid, said Ron Oules, chief of Brewster police.
“All firearms accessible to the juvenile and involved in the investigation have been located and are in the custody of the Brewster Police Department,” Mr. Oules said.
The administrations of schools that could be included in the threats had also been notified of the investigation, Mr. Oules added.
It’s not known whether the two youths knew each other prior to last Friday’s conversation.
Brewster is located about 250 kilometres south of Osoyoos, B.C., and is home to three schools: an elementary, middle and high school.
This is the second such case in a month.
On Feb. 4, an online video gamer called police after a youth in San Antonio, Texas said he would participate in a school shooting. Local police passed on the details of the tip to U.S. authorities and as a result, a San Antonio youth is also before the courts.
“I can’t explain it, whether parents are paying more attention or what,” Sgt. Omilusik said. “The last time, I said ‘If you get any information like this, pass it on.’ I don’t know if this is the result of that, but we’re getting the information, which is very, very helpful.”
Police are encouraging the public to ensure they report any suspicious activity to their local police regardless of the information or political boundaries.
Published by: National Post
Article by: Quintin Winks
Photo by: Quintin Winks
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