Bad: Pennsylvania teen charged with plotting to kill school enemies

[JonInNY]

Pennsylvania teen charged with plotting to kill school enemies - CNN.com

(CNN) -- A Pennsylvania teen has been charged as an adult for allegedly planning to kill classmates he did not like before turning the gun on himself in a high school shooting spree, a Pennsylvania prosecutor said Tuesday.

Richard Yanis allegedly stole three handguns from his father and told police he planned to "shoot students in the school and then himself" at Pottstown High School, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said in a press release.

Yanis, 15, was charged with attempted murder in adult court because juvenile law in Montgomery County excludes crimes committed with a deadly weapon, Ferman said.

The investigation began when the teen's father reported that three handguns were stolen from a secured gun locker in his basement, Ferman said.

His son allegedly took a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver, a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Colt .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, Ferman said.

Richard Yanis gave the guns and ammunition to an unnamed friend from school and asked him to "hold onto it," the statement said. The friend allegedly showed his stepmother the guns, and the two drove to a nearby creek where they tossed in the weapons.

The friend told a teacher at Pottstown High School what happened, and police were called.

Yanis told police he planned to attack the school after the New Year, officials said.

"He was going to go into the school shooting, shoot everyone he did not like, and then himself," Ferman said.

"He was to have the guns loaded and have the additional ammunition inside his backpack," she said. "On the day of the planned shooting, Yanis said he was going to tell his friends to go home from school."

John Armato, director of community relations at Pottstown Senior High School, described Yanis "as quiet, relatively introverted."

"He did not have a great number of friends or a history of discipline problems," Armato said. "He had no history of aggressive behaviors in school."

Yanis' parents had no comment, but family friend Brian Hanlon spoke on their behalf.

"I can say that it was definitely out of character, but that his parents are dealing with it as best as possible," Hanlon said. "They want everyone to respect their privacy at this time while dealing with these events."

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[retsupt99]

He's not the only kid with this mindset roaming our school hallways.

Stay armed...in some TX and UT schools (when will the rest catch on?)...stay safe!

[JonInNY]

This is the statement in the report that bothers me:

"The investigation began when the teen's father reported that three handguns were stolen from a secured gun locker in his basement, Ferman said."

What kind of "secured" gun locker was this?

[JOHNSMITH]

Possibly the type of "secured" locker where he leaves the keys in a drawer or tabletop.

Tragedy averted, but it could've been very bad. It is also a good thing the father reported his stolen firearms... however, how did he know they were stolen? Maybe the kid forced entry into the cabinet. Otherwise, if guns were suddenly missing and there were no other signs of forced entry, I'm not sure if most people's first thought would be that they were stolen. That part is a little odd.

[SleepingZ]

Anyone else have a problem with the step-mom and kid ditching the weapons in a creek????


Z

[dukalmighty]

Anyone else have a problem with the step-mom and kid ditching the weapons in a creek????


Z

That caught me as being pretty stupid,but maybe they felt if they got rid of the guns his plan would fall through and nobody would get in trouble

[archer51]

Anyone else have a problem with the step-mom and kid ditching the weapons in a creek????

That caught me as being pretty stupid,but maybe they felt if they got rid of the guns his plan would fall through and nobody would get in trouble

That struck me as odd also. Why not just take the guns with you to the police station when you go there to report it?

[fatcat]

He's not the only kid with this mindset roaming our school hallways.

Stay armed...in some TX and UT schools (when will the rest catch on?)...stay safe!

I did not know some schools were allowing people to carry on campus. This is great news IMO since maybe others will follow......

College campuses are where I would like to see some action as many students who are CLH are currently being denied their rights.

[walvord]

Possibly the type of "secured" locker where he leaves the keys in a drawer or tabletop.

This is the very reason why I have a combination gun safe. I'm the only one that knows the combo - the wife is not interested in knowing it and the kids aren't gonna know it. If the kids get in my gun safe, they've been taking welding classes or something at school.