US school shooting stopped

NEW YORK: A 17-year-old with a grudge against his former high school planned with his 16-year-old girlfriend to buy shotguns, enter his old school and indiscriminately shoot students and teachers days before his ex-classmates were scheduled to graduate, police said.

The two teens tried to buy a shotgun and set a June 10 date for the attack on Connetquot High School on Long Island.

Evidence from the 16-year-old girl's computer and cellphone showed they had searched bomb-making and explosives websites and exchanged text messages, in which they discussed plans to buy firearms and kill people, police said.

Both were arrested and charged as adults with conspiracy. Both have pleaded not guilty and could face up to a year in jail if convicted.

Authorities uncovered the plan after the boy's social worker alerted them last month that the two might be planning an attack.

The warning followed what police believe was a public proclamation of the boy's venom for his former classmates.

After a car accident that led to the death of two students earlier this year, someone using the 17-year-old's name left messages on a Facebook memorial page expressing his satisfaction.

"He has a bit of hatred for this class," a police spokesman said.

- AP