Two teenagers arrested in South Pasadena Monday For planning a ‘Huge Massacre’ at the high school

South Pasadena Police Chief Miller describes the plot they unearthed at this morning’s press conference – Photos by Terry Miller

“Huge Massacre” Thwarted by police

By Terry Miller

At a press conference at the South Pasadena Police station Tuesday morning media outlets from around the world were told of the arrest of two teenage boys who were plotting a “massacre” at South Pasadena High School. The two young men allegedly exchanged detailed plans via social media and verified their intentions in police interviews, according to South Pasadena Chief of Police, Arthur Miller. Satellite trucks from CNN, Fox and other major television networks wire services plus local journalists crowed the exterior of South Pasadena PD for the press conference. “It was very viable, what they were plotting. They were making a huge plan of a school massacre that identified three staff members at the school by name that they were targeting,” as well as “random” students, Miller said.

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Police learned initially of the plot by a concerned citizen who alerted South Pasadena police of the threat last Thursday. “They just wanted to kill as many people as possible,” he said. No weapons were found when the students were arrested, but the pair believed they had access to a firearm belonging to a relative, Miller said. The young men, who are now in juvenile hall under arrest, discussed using automatic weapons, knives, bombs and wearing bulletproof vests, according to Chief Miller.

The students, ages 16 and 17, are being held on suspicion of conspiracy and criminal threats but will likely face additional charges. The police apparently conducted “Internet surveillance” on the two suspects, who used social media. The FBI offered to help police and has been aiding the investigation, Miller said. Additional police presence is planned for the first day of school, Thursday.

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