Waseca police announced Thursday that they uncovered a teenager's elaborate plot to kill his family and bomb a Minnesota senior and junior high school.
Authorities say the 17-year old suspect, John LaDue, admitted he intended to kill "as many students as he could" with his arsenal of guns, ammunition, and bombs.
On April 29, the teen was found in possession of several bomb-making materials inside a storage unit. He allegedly told police that if he would have had one of his guns, he would have killed the responding officer.
A search of the LaDue's home recovered seven guns, ammunition, three bombs, black clothing, and a ski mask. Police also found a 180-page notebook in which the teen mentioned the Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, and Columbine school shootings. He allegedly expressed admiration for the Columbine shooters.
According to police officers, the 11<sup>th-grader planned to kill his mother, father, and sister, and then set a fire in a nearby field to distract emergency officials.
While authorities were responding to the fire, LaDue allegedly planned to go to Waseca Junior and Senior High Schools and plant pressure-cooker bombs, throw Molotov cocktails, and shoot students and school staff.
Police say the teen admitted to setting off practice bombs at an elementary school near Minneapolis two months ago. They believe the teen plotted alone, and no other suspects would have participated in the killing spree.
Waseca School District Superintendent Thomas Lee said the high school had no issues with the teen, and that teachers found him to be shy.
Lee expressed relief that police found the arsenal.
"We have escaped what could have been a horrific experience," Lee told reporters.
LaDue told police that he would have carried out his plan in the next few weeks.
On May 1, LaDue was charged with two counts of property damage, six counts of possessing explosive devices, and four counts of attempted first-degree murder. He is due back in court on May 12.
