|
UPDATE - West Virginia State Police have served two juvenile petitions to teenagers Monday for threats against students and teachers at Clay Middle School in Clay County.
Corporal P. A. Green and Trooper T. D. McFeeley of the Clay Detachment of the State Police served juvenile petitions on a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, both from Clay.
They have been charged with making terroristic threats, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation to commit murder.
Police say the investigation remains active and more juvenile petitions could be served.
Officials say the juvenile students had a "highly planned" Columbine-like attack.
READ GAZETTE MAIL STORY: Monday, May 16, 2016/
Police charge two juveniles in Clay school threats/
By Kate White, Staff Writer
CLAY COMMUNITY PACKS BOARD MEETING OVER HIGHLY-PLANNED COLUMBINE-LIKE ATTACK THAT WAS DELAYED - Students And Teachers Were Targets, Arrests Yet To Be Made (5/11/2016)
Several hundred Clay County community members packed into the Clay County Middle School cafeteria Monday for a school board meeting, following what officials called a highly planned "Columbine attack" on the school that was not carried out on April 20.
Parents voiced their concerns and frustrations about the threats that at least three students made to kill students and teachers.
Some parents blamed the school system over what they called a lack of communication, while Assistant Superintendent of Clay Schools Joe Paxton said with an investigation, full details can't always be disclosed.
The school system did not learn about the planned attack until April 26, six days later. Officials said it appeared the attack had been postponed so others could be enlisted in shootings.
Officials said the boys planned to attack the janitor first, then use his keys to have access all the other rooms in the school to kill students and teachers.
Clay County Sheriff Garrett Samples stepped forward at the meeting to express concerns over the lack of communication.
"I just want to know about the mechanics of the situation," Samples said. "I want to know what my men are running into."
School officials and West Virginia State Police have remained remained tight lipped about what happened.
Sgt. Keefer with the West Virginia State Police described it as a very active investigation.
"We're dealing with juveniles. I'm very limited," Keefer said. "It's a fine line between addressing public safety and making sure this case is not jeopardized," said Sgt. Keefer.
Police officials have indicated the three students, who have been removed from school, could be charged.
Clay County Schools Superintendent Kenneth Tanner said at the meeting that the former principal of Columbine contacted the school. He may be coming to talk with the students in the future.
State Police say they plan on having active shooter drills with all the schools in the county soon.
| 
