Police: New Jersey High School Students Charged In 'Columbine-Like' Plot
PATERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Two New Jersey high school students are facing charges after allegedly threatening to carry out a "Columbine-like" attack.
Paterson school district administrators and police confirm that two students -- a 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy -- from Eastside High School have been arrested, and are now facing charges of making terroristic threats and conspiracy.
The threat was directed toward a specific teacher at their former middle school, the New Roberto Clemente School, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
The students were apparently in the early stages of planning potential attacks at both schools when they were taken into custody, police said.
School safety officers were tipped off about the threat Monday, triggering an internal investigation by school authorities who told CBS2 in a statement that "proper protocols were followed which included notifying the Paterson Police Department, the school staff, and the parents of these two students. "
The two students were taken into custody Tuesday -- a day after the threat was discovered, Burrell reported.
"The intended schools were immediately notified as well as the school staff member, who was mentioned by name by the juveniles," Paterson Police said in a statement. "As a side of precaution, extra patrols were provided to the schools."
Police searched the homes of the two students and found no weapons, authorities said.
"They're not taking lightly the situation," said Paterson City Councilman Luis Velez, who toured the middle school Wednesday morning after speaking with school officials. "I was inside the school, everything looks calm, everybody's doing their work."
Parents of students at both schools were notified of the threat Wednesday, Burrell reported.
While the plot was foiled, it raises concern for parents in the district, including Velez.
Paterson schools cut their school security by 30 percent at the start of the current school year.
"Do you think there are enough school safety officers?" Burrell asked Velez who replied, "I think they need more."
Velez went on to say that there is a possibility that the school's budget will be cut even further for the upcoming school year.
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was held for staffers at the middle school Tuesday night.
The students have not been identified.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Quaema McElveen and Detective Charlie Garcia at (973) 321-1126.
