Police search school after bomb plot reported- 3 students in custody

http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/11/25/crime.school/index.html

NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Police used bomb-sniffing dogs to check for explosives at a high school Sunday after authorities said a school janitor discovered a letter detailing a plot for a Columbine-like attack.

The results of the sweep had not been announced by late Sunday.

The letter, discovered at New Bedford High School, "explicitly outlined an event that would occur on a Monday," police said.

The letter said the attack would involve "explosives or the use of explosives, weapons and injuring or killing students and faculty," police said. Authorities also found photos of people posing with weapons.

Details of the plan resembled the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in April 1999, police said.

Three students, two of them juveniles, were arrested Saturday. The third suspect was identified as 17-year-old Eric McKeehan. Under Massachusetts law, juveniles are between the ages of 8 and 16.

The suspects were to be arraigned Monday. Police also held out the possibility there could be more arrests.

Teachers said an investigation has been under way since last month, when a student told a faculty member that students were planning an attack.

"But I felt safe that the administration and the New Bedford police department were looking into it," teacher Diane Robinson said.

School Superintendent Joseph Silva reassured the community the school would be safe. "Everything is in place," he said.

A veteran teacher at the school said nothing surprises him anymore.

"I'm convinced you're not going to straighten out these situations until you straighten out the home life," he said. "Once you straighten out the home, you straighten out the schools."