Thwarted State College school attack meant to coincide with Columbine anniversary

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — The alleged planned shooting and bombing at State College High School was scheduled to coincide with the 26th anniversary of the tragic Columbine shooting.

Friday night, April 11, members of the State College Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security raided a Milroy home and arrested 20-year-old Braeden Phillips.

According to Phillips’ criminal complaint, police were tipped off by someone about a possible threat to the State College High School. Through investigating, police found that Phillips confided in a friend about his plans to carry out a shooting, including bombs being placed in bathrooms, for Monday, April 21, one day after the 26th Anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999.

Police noted that it was planned for the actual anniversary, April 20, but Phillips moved it to Monday after being reminded that the 20th falls on Easter Sunday this year.

It’s alleged that Phillips has compiled a “hit list” and was planning to carry out the shooting at 8:40 a.m., the height of morning traffic as school begins for the day, charging documents read.

Police allege that a juvenile acquaintance of Phillips was also involved in the plans.

An interview of Phillips’ friends revealed that Phillips believed the high school “didn’t meet his educational needs and failed him,” the complaint reads. The friend also alleged that Phillips was at his house weeks prior with a handgun that was “working and operational,” and that Phillips had a “natural curiosity” when it came to explosives, the complaint reads.

Phillips was remanded to Centre County Prison with bail denied. At this time, information on charges against the involved juvenile is unknown.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, at 8:30 a.m.