Latest news with #StateCollegeHighSchool
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man allegedly planning State High shooting told friends months prior
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Braeden Phillips, the man arrested and accused of planning an attack on State College High School was in court Wednesday. A preliminary hearing was held over Zoom after a storm left widespread power outages Tuesday that included the Centre County Courthouse. When police arrested Phillips, potentially thwarting a school shooting, they applauded the community member that alerted them to his alleged planned attack. They said this highlighted the importance of, 'If you see something, say something.' But at Wednesday's hearing, the courts learned more about how many teens and young adults close to Phillips could have said something sooner. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Arrest made over 'planning an attack' on State College Area High School According to four different witnesses, all somehow involved with Phillips' friend group, the 20-year-old first mentioned a 'plan' to commit a shooting at state high back in February, when he took a Glock pistol to a friend's house. That friend told the court that the gun was a 'switch gun,' or a pistol modified to be turned into a machine gun. The State College Police Department investigating Phillips said law enforcement found ammunition commonly used with assault rifles when they searched Phillips' home, but did not find the gun. All four of the teens and young adults who took the stand said that, for months, they thought Phillips was joking. They said when they realized he wasn't, they were too afraid of retaliation from not only Phillips, but other adults like the police and school officials, to report it. But when one of the witnesses told his parents in March about the plan, the allegations still went unreported to police. Phillips continued to discuss his plans with these friends, they told the judge. They said he discussed who he planned to shoot and even asked his friends who they would shoot if they had the opportunity. Defense argued that bail should be set for Phillips. His lawyers said there was never actually a plan to commit the shooting. While police recovered a BB gun designed to look like a Glock, the defense said that the lack of a real gun is evidence of the lack of a plan to actually attack the school. But the Commonwealth argued that because the gun hasn't been found, Phillips could still have access to it. The judge denied bail again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Thwarted State College school attack meant to coincide with Columbine anniversary
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — The alleged planned shooting and bombing at State College High School was scheduled to coincide with the 26th anniversary of the tragic Columbine shooting. Friday night, April 11, members of the State College Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security raided a Milroy home and arrested 20-year-old Braeden Phillips. According to Phillips' criminal complaint, police were tipped off by someone about a possible threat to the State College High School. Through investigating, police found that Phillips confided in a friend about his plans to carry out a shooting, including bombs being placed in bathrooms, for Monday, April 21, one day after the 26th Anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999. Police noted that it was planned for the actual anniversary, April 20, but Phillips moved it to Monday after being reminded that the 20th falls on Easter Sunday this year. Arrest made over 'planning an attack' on State College Area High School It's alleged that Phillips has compiled a 'hit list' and was planning to carry out the shooting at 8:40 a.m., the height of morning traffic as school begins for the day, charging documents read. Police allege that a juvenile acquaintance of Phillips was also involved in the plans. An interview of Phillips' friends revealed that Phillips believed the high school 'didn't meet his educational needs and failed him,' the complaint reads. The friend also alleged that Phillips was at his house weeks prior with a handgun that was 'working and operational,' and that Phillips had a 'natural curiosity' when it came to explosives, the complaint was remanded to Centre County Prison with bail denied. At this time, information on charges against the involved juvenile is unknown. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, at 8:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
