Penn student held in alleged Columbine-like plot

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Penn High School

A Penn High School student was arrested after a school resource officer found alarming postings and e-mails the student had exchanged with another person. (Tribune File Photo/Margarita Bilbrey)

By Beth Boehne

ST. JOSEPH CO. — A Penn High School student is being held on preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Police arrested the 16-year-old at the school Tuesday.

A resource officer there found alarming postings and e-mails the student had exchanged with another person.

The prosecutor’s office says they were discussing a plan to commit violence in public. Specifically, they wanted to carry out an attack similar to Columbine.

But because of a popular website, police may have stopped that from happening.

“I have a laptop computer in my car and we can get on MySpace, just check it out and see what’s going on,” said Penn High School Resource Officer David Sult.

Sult hopped on the website earlier this week when he discovered disturbing conversations the suspect was having with another person. They included carrying out Columbine-like mass murders at Penn High School on September 11.

“The juvenile and the other person discussed obtaining weapons of mass destruction and firearms,” St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak explained. “The juvenile agreed with the other person to research how to make explosive devices.”

Prosecutors say the suspect also asked the other person to help him get a 9 mm handgun.

"And stated that it would be ‘awesome’ if he cold use the same weapon that was used in the Columbine shootings,” Dvorak said.

Some students say the news is alarming.

“Just knowing kids can get it easily these days is, I don’t know, kind of scary,” Penn student Kenny Haithcox told WSBT News.

But for others, the thought of a Columbine-like attack happening here has never crossed their minds.

"There are people that are mad about stuff, but I can't honestly see anyone doing anything like that,” said student Molly Johnson. “I mean, I know it's happened but I feel safe here. They're always watching out for everything."

“This is the second time it’s happened in two weeks,’ said student Ryan Watts. “I just think it’s kids acting stupid.”

The suspect remains in the Juvenile Justice Center. He'll appear in court Friday for a detention hearing.

Police would not say very much about the other person the suspect was talking to. They said he does not live in this state and he's not a juvenile. Officers in that other state are still investigating.

Sunday, May 11 at 9:10 PM penn student wrote ...

why must we bicker about the irrelivant. speaking from my own knowledge. the boy was bullied beyond belief and considering phsychological study you have to consider how much that bullying could effect such a young boy. i myself have been a severe victem of bullying and understand the hurt he must have felt. i by no means support what his plans but i do understand the sadness in his heart to drive him there. stop blameing the "perfect school" and start focusing on the real cause, his peers.

Sunday, Apr 27 at 8:55 PM anonymous wrote ...

none of you are even focusing on the real issue here. it doesn't matter where the kid went to school.. people need to realize that something like this can happen to anyone, anywhere. what you should be focused on is keeping your children safe

Saturday, Apr 26 at 9:32 PM You are all wrong... wrote ...

This little monster's home school should have been Washington! He lived in northwestern South Bend! He should have had nothing to do with Penn! End of that story.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 6:52 PM south bend wrote ...

Penn is not the "best". They have just as many issues as the other schools, some are just different. People have this assumption because many Penn parents and students criticize other schools when they should look around their own backyard first. But, ignorance is bliss.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 11:05 AM Upset wrote ...

Yes, for all you wonderful people, Penn is the better school. I have been to more than one high school in the area and Penn was by far the best. However that is my opinion which I am entitled to. Nobody at Penn walks around saying they are the best. That is something that others came up with. The main issue is that this kid DIDN'T kill innocent kids. Thank god! Penn, perfect or not, nobody deserves violence. Quit being so childish.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:07 PM south bend wrote ...

What??? I thought Penn was perfect! LOL

Friday, Apr 25 at 7:25 PM A wrote ...

"16 and convicted of attempted murder" is what the news headlines SHOULD read. It's about time someone stands up and makes an example of this kid and his parents. They all ought to be charged and put in jail. A hefty fine to the pocket book wouldn't hurt either. Wake up people!! had this attempt not been caught it could have been your son or daughter killed not to mention mine. I bet you'd all be thinking differently then uh? The school is not to blame. Lets be placing blame where it belongs

Friday, Apr 25 at 3:24 PM Cori wrote ...

These postings should be used to discuss how we can prevent these things from happening rather than arguing over the “better school”. We can all agree we want our children to outlive us?? Correct!!! So, rather than stereotyping the different school systems and trying to blame them we should decide to pull together as "Parents" and make sure these things do not happen in any school! It’s obvious that some parents choose not to monitor their kids, so where do we start to protect ours from them?

Friday, Apr 25 at 3:05 PM Cori wrote ...

Wow!!!!!! I think some of you are missing the point and using the fact he went to school at Penn as a way to down the school. Point Blank, many children could have died if this was carried through. I agree it all comes back to monitoring children because his parents should've realized a long time ago that he had issues and taken care of that. That is irrelevant to what school he attends. Stereotyping is what pushed this child over the edge and some of you are only further promoting it.

Friday, Apr 25 at 2:22 PM sheesh wrote ...

Pathetic that this topic has to turn in to a this school vs. that school. You people do realize that this could happen at any school, right? You also realize that this kid was planning on murdering innocent kids, right? Get your priorities straight. People were mad at my post that said Penn parents let their kids run wild. I was referring to Penn parents because that's all I know. What I should have said was that MOST parents let their kids run wild, and this can be the result.

Friday, Apr 25 at 1:16 PM Scholar wrote ...

Hey, Amy, its evident you only went to high school half a day. You type in all caps, don't know how to spell 'advice,' and have absolutely no sentence structure. Learn how to write if..well, you're going to write.

Friday, Apr 25 at 10:56 AM STUDENT wrote ...

NICK,I WAS IN THE SBCSC FOR ALL MY LIFE AND TRANSFERED INTO PENN.IT REALLY OFFENDED ME THAT U BRING UP THAT ONLY 1/2 THE STUDENTS GRADUATE.WHY SHOULD IT MATTER IF ONE SCHOOL IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER?THE FACT IS THAT ANYONE AT ANY SCHOOL CAN PLOT TO KILL SOMEONE

Friday, Apr 25 at 10:05 AM There's a way; it just isn't easy wrote ...

I have the answer to this and many other problems. I cannot reveal the solution in 500 characters or less but I can tell you why it would never work. Because people are lazy, greedy, self absorbed, closed minded, afraid, inconsistent, cheap, ignorant, stupid, (there IS a difference). It would take committment from someone not afraid of being disliked backed by police who do their jobs knowing that a court system will do theirs. It would be making parents accountable for their children early on!

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:59 AM Casey wrote ...

All of this Penn vs South Bend stuff is absolutely absurd. Are you in high school or are your children? Grow up and realize this situation can happen anywhere. Did you even read or consider the comment that there may not be parents?

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:52 AM katie wrote ...

I went to Marian High School years ago & let me just that even though there's 1 psycho in a school does NOT mean all of these students are like him!! I never cared for Penn but come on people -- it can happen ANYWHERE! And video games don't make people kill others, people are born messed up in the head. The fact that this is making National News confuses me too. I understand making people aware of the situation but in a way you're still giving them what they want... FAME!

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:50 AM oscar wrote ...

Hey Nick, relax. Some day we all aspire to live/educate our children in Pleasantville.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:48 AM funny comment wrote ...

I like how the kid last night on the news said he has never seen a fight. That was funny. There are fights at the school every month just like every other school. Good job for that officer doing his job. Saved some lives for sure.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:36 AM AMY wrote ...

I WENT TO PENN AS WELL AND CAN HONESTLY SAY THANK GOD MY JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR I ONLY WENT HALF DAY AND THE OTHER HALF AT THE CAREER CENTER. MY PARENTS WERE NOSY THEY WENT THROUGH MY STUFF AND ALWAYS KNEW EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON IN MY LIFE AND MY BROTHER AND SISTERS LIVES. MY MOM JUST SAID THE OTHER DAY THE BEST PARENTING ADVISE SHE CAN GIVE IS TO BE NOSY AND I THINK SHE IS RIGHT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THERE KIDS LIVES. AND BE HELD RESPONSIBLE WHEN THEY DONT KNOW.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:02 AM to sheesh wrote ...

Sheesh,just want you to know I am a Penn parent and my kids think I am the nosiest person in the entire world. I invade their privacy on a regular basis. Right or wrong, this is my method because teens are good at pulling the wool over their parents eyes. I was pretty good at it myself in high school and I still remember a lot of the tricks. I know of a different area school where male/female sleepovers (ninth grade)are common and I scratch my head in wonder why this is permitted by the parents.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:00 AM Anon wrote ...

This comment is for L at 7:54 AM. How about you get a reality check and look around you. No matter where you go, there are going to be problems and for your information, not all Penn students are a problem nor the parents of Penn students. Quit assuming that just because of one bad apple that the rest of them are the same way. I bet there are great students in each and every school that you go to. Just because this moron happened to go to Penn does not mean that they are all like him.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:54 AM Ben wrote ...

Wow. Don't these parent's monitor their kids? What kind of moronic parents are they? Probably makin' meth in the basement or something. I hope this kid goes to jail, he's 16, screw giving him Juvenile Detention and a slap on the wrist. This is major, not only put him in jail, put his parents in jail for being absolute morons and not knowing how to parent. I hope they are reading this right now. Idiots

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:38 AM Penn grandparent wrote ...

There are good & bad parents in all schools. To single out PENN is ludicrous. Our family has many PENN grads & all received an excellent education. Maybe it's time we put GOD back in the schools and traditions that make the kids feel united and cared about. Unfortunately we have taken so many school activities away that made kids feel united, that some are bored & unable to find their place. The American family has been forced to change, at the expense of our children.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:37 AM Mel wrote ...

I'd just like to say kudos to Cpl. Sult. He should get a commendation for uncovering this plot and very likely preventing a tragedy.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:12 AM Penn Student wrote ...

I have been a Penn student for four years and I have never felt unsafe, even when a situation like this occurs.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:09 AM Mary from New Carlisle wrote ...

Way to go, Officer David Sult! He happens to be my cousin and we're so very proud of him in all he does for the children in our community. he used to be a DARE officer in our area and the children loved him! God Speed, Dave. Be safe... :-)

Friday, Apr 25 at 7:54 AM L wrote ...

Cori Cori Cori. Statistics don't tell the truth. They never do. PENN has always tried to exude an image of godliness among all the local schools. And for once something is not covered up at the forsaken school. Penn Parents are a problem. Penn students are a problem. Penn is a problem. It is too big and needs to be down sized. You are all morons. I have lived here all my life and well Granger and Penn think they are all high and mighty. Reality check people. Down with Penn.

Friday, Apr 25 at 7:00 AM fuddy duddy wrote ...

i am a parent of 2 kids in the Penn schools. i have been called a "fuddy duddy" by other parents because my children have rules! if other children are at my house, believe me they are supervised. both have sites on myspace, but again, my kids both understand at ANY time i will (and have) looked at their pics, comments etc. same goes for aim messaging. there are too many broken homes, but that does not mean there has to be broken kids. parents start being parents please and stop being "cool

Friday, Apr 25 at 6:00 AM stateofamerica wrote ...

No God, No Parents, No Responsibility, we are headed down the path of destruction.

Friday, Apr 25 at 1:37 AM A satisfied parent wrote ...

Good catch by the security resource people on this. No matter why the kid was doing it, the consequences have got to be swift, severe and speak to anyone even remotely thinking of doing anything like this themselves.

Friday, Apr 25 at 12:51 AM ann wrote ...

I'm a penn student and read a few of these comments. "PENN PARENTS" don't let kids run wild. it could be any parents, so please, let's not try to sterotype, maybe this is where the kids learn it from. hmm.. and as a student at penn i believe that we do need better security in the school besides just one officer. people have emotional issues, it could happen anywhere. just bc it's at penn doesn't mean anything, so please, stop stero typing. thanks. (:

Friday, Apr 25 at 12:29 AM Lorenzo wrote ...

This goes to show and prove that all school districts face violent problems within the schools, its no paradise at Penn but reality hits home..

Thursday, Apr 24 at 11:29 PM Nick wrote ...

Penn Parents??? Probably a South Bend School parent who doesn't realize that only 1/2 the people graduate from that school system that is the worst in the state. Gary Indiana even scores better than the South Bend School Corporation.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 11:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Nobody wonders what emotional/mental issues could have led to this situation? Obviously if one is thinking rationally it is not a good idea. Clearly he was not and needed help, to say the very least. The student is still a minor, a child when the seeds for such hatred and anger were sown.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 11:27 PM To 10:35 anonymous wrote ...

Why all of the killing and anger? Because we took prayer out of school.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 11:16 PM sheesh wrote ...

I comment on the Penn parents because my child goes there. Too many parents let their kids run wild. Super late curfews, unmonitored Myspaces, boy/girl sleepovers, buying alcohol for the kids. Sure, it happens at other schools, but I know for a fact it's going on at Penn. If it hurts to hear it, maybe you're guilty.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 11:01 PM Myspace wrote ...

Is it even leagal for police and School personal to even break pribacy laws by looking at people's myspaces

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:52 PM Anon wrote ...

Wow, people sure do like to make a lot of assumptions. Such as that there were even parents involved in the situation. Think outside your perfect little boxes and imagine for once that not everyone has a nuclear family or even a mom or a dad. LOL at "Penn Parents," don't know if there is any way to be further from the truth. Before you judge, just understand there may be a lot of details you can't get from a five minute news story. Possibly.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:35 PM anonymous wrote ...

what is this world coming to? Why all of the killing all the anger or do they think this is what life is about? God gives us life, who are we to take it from someone else? stop playing God and repent for all those bad thougths that keep going through your minds.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:12 PM GuessWho? wrote ...

As someone that works closely with ALL of your children at one time or another...it doesn't matter if it's Mishawaka or South Bend or PHM. Private or Public. There are those that are "not well" at all schools. The differences are that some...SOME parents are talking to their children. Some teachers are able to build rapport w/ the children and "learn information" that could save a life. When you feel that it only happen "here" or "there" is when it will happen everywhere...sadly.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:52 PM Joe wrote ...

Put his SICK butt in JAIL!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:06 PM Carolyn wrote ...

I have said it before and I will say it again the parents need to be held accountable if there kids come into a school blazing with guns and knives. If a kid was to kill himself after the fact put the parent behind bars. It is neglect for the parents not to know what is going on in their own home. These kids are minors gor god sake. Get A Clue!!!!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 6:39 PM concerned wrote ...

make an example of this kid big time...and hopefully the media won't take an angle of was this kid picked on..and making his choices someone else's fault...

Thursday, Apr 24 at 6:28 PM Hey seesh wrote ...

It is not just the Penn parents. Check this out! http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/17915704.html

Thursday, Apr 24 at 6:27 PM Penn Parent wrote ...

It is bizarre how an earlier poster said "The Penn parents have a tendency to let their kids run wild." Take a wild guess at where this family transferred into Penn from! Ha Ha. It's back on you!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 6:13 PM To Bob: wrote ...

It amazes me how in these situations people like you can claim "he wasn't gonna do it".... Two questions: 1. Do you share a mind with him so you have some bizarre way of knowing that fact? 2. Do you think somebody would have said the same about Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold if their plan had been discovered BEFORE it was carried out? This world's too crazy & these type of things unfortunately have to be taken seriously especially with the details involved that are listed in the story!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 6:06 PM Mish wrote ...

mmmm Penn University...

Thursday, Apr 24 at 5:31 PM Bob wrote ...

Its not like he was going to carry this out...just wanted all the media pointed at his school and he got it...

Thursday, Apr 24 at 4:40 PM SB wrote ...

Wow! Nothing like this happens in South Bend Schools! Maybe they are not as bad as everyone(including the media) makes them out to be.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 4:19 PM Cori wrote ...

Sheesh.. I'm a little confused why you singled out "Penn Parents" as having a tendency to let their children run wild. Children not being properly monitored can happen anywhere. From my personal opinion I find it more commonly to be found in the city schools than I do Penn. Actually that statement is easily proven just by statistics of arrests, pregnancy, drug abuse, etc.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 3:45 PM Heather wrote ...

These parents need to get a clue!! Who wouldn't know there home has over 100 knives in it and other weapons. Parents are just as responsible. They got it from somewhere. I went to Penn and never had issues like this. I PLANNED on my kids going there as well. Maybe I should reconsider. T he school should have a sense on what is going on as well and not just with sports! This is sick!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 3:41 PM sheesh wrote ...

What kind of parent would let his kid have poisonous snakes? The Penn parents have a tendency to let their kids run wild. Until the kid is out of their house, they should watch closely. If some of these parents saw what their kids were posting on their Myspace accounts, it would curl their hair.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 3:38 PM Dave wrote ...

Could be all the first person shoot-em up games, desensitized to all the killing they see on TV, parents not involved, etc.. All I wanted to do in school, was skip. I never even thought about hurting teachers, students.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 3:03 PM Jenn wrote ...

Again...parents not monitoring their kids! He is in high school. My parents didn't know everything, but they knew the important stuff. But I also never plotted to kill either. What is going on in the minds of teenagers these days? All I wanted to do was hang out and skip school. Nothing was ever soo bad I felt like killing my clasmates. Bizarre! Get it together kids!

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