Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Police have arrested two teens for conspiring to kill students and staff at Connetquot High School in Bohemia in a Columbine-style attack that one of the alleged planners predicted would "start a chain of terrorism in the world," Suffolk police said Friday.

School and police officials uncovered the alleged plot after a journal belonging to one of the teens was left at the school by an anonymous woman last week. The woman had found the notebook lying in a McDonald's parking lot in Bohemia.

The journal described the 15-year-old's plan to shoot specific students and teachers at the school and detonate explosives, Suffolk police said during a Friday afternoon press conference that was televised nationwide.

In one journal entry, police said, a drawing depicts a pipe bomb exploding at the school, and students lying dead on the ground. According to police, the teen wrote, "Students will die. Ha... I want to leave a lasting impression on the world."

"This will go down in history," the journal read. "Take out everyone there. Perfecto."

Inside the journal, the 15-year-old also described himself as "sad, depressed, excited, feeling left out," according to Police Commissioner Richard Dormer.

The journal indicated that the plan would happen in April, 2008, the anniversary of the Columbine massacre, police said.

Police would not identify the 15-year-old juvenile, except to say that he was "troubled," and was already on long-term suspension before the journal was found.

Police did identify his alleged accomplice. Michael McDonough, 17, of 14 Lincoln Ave. in Holbrook, had agreed to participate in the attack, police said.

The two teens worked together at a McDonald's restaurant.

After receiving the journal, police carried out a search warrant on the 15-year-old's computer, and discovered that he had made numerous attempts and inquiries on the Internet to obtain weapons, including an Uzi, and an AK-47 automatic rifle.

The 15-year-old had already ordered five pounds of black powder explosive, police said.

They also discovered a tape made by the teen, in which he describes his violent plans.

"It was a very chilling tape," Dormer said. "It was akin to the tapes we all saw from Columbine."

"The teen made explicit threats against students and staff at the school," he said.

McDonough has been charged with conspiracy and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at First District Court. The 15-year-old has been charged as a juvenile with conspiracy and is scheduled to appear in Family Court Friday.

Officers from the Fifth Precinct crime section conducted an initial investigation which was turned over to the Fifth Squad. The investigation was conducted with the assistance and cooperation from the Connetquot School District.

Police asked anyone with additional information to call 631-854-8552 or 1-800-220-TIPS.

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

wow- my Dad taught there for 32 years

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

I think it's sad, that you can be this upset that you could attempt to do this. Dont parents see this in the kids, wouldnt you try and get him/her some help.

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Thank goodness this woman had the presence of mind to read it and turn it in.

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

OH MY!!!

thank god they intercepted that!

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Wow that is crazy! It really is crazy the way some kids think today! I can't believe it!

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Scary

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

My mom is the registrar there....she said he's a "very troubled" kid.

CRAZY!!!!

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

They should both be placed in a mental institution... for a LOOOONG time!!!

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

So sad. I'm glad this book was found.

Do you think it was left on purpose? A cry for attention?

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

Posted by MikesWife

So sad. I'm glad this book was found.

Do you think it was left on purpose? A cry for attention?

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

I swear it's stories like these that make me question whether DH and I really want to bring children into this world.

Thank goodness the woman who found the journal turned it in. I shudder to think what could have happened if she hadn't.

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

OMG, that is so scary.

Re: Two teens accused of plotting to destroy school

My son graduated from Connetquot in 2005....it doesn't surprise me at all. There were other gun & bomb threats while he was a student there.

thank god the kid was stupid enough to loose his journal.