3 Boys Held in Planned Rampage at School
PARADISE, Calif. — Three boys were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of plotting a school shooting rampage similar to the one in Littleton, Colo.
The boys, two 13-year-olds and a 12-year-old, planned to detonate bombs and shoot teachers and fellow students at Paradise Intermediate School, police said.
Investigators said they searched the boys’ homes and found a list of intended victims and evidence that the attack was to have occurred Feb. 2, 2002.
Police had no motive, but said the suspects made their plans after watching TV news reports about the Colorado massacre two months ago. The boys said they abandoned their plot earlier this month, according to police.
A student reportedly found out about the plans and told his parents, who called police in this Butte County community, about 140 miles north of San Francisco.
The boys were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Because of their age, they were released to their parents.
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