Columbine-obsessed California boy, 18, is arrested ‘for plotting school shooting with six intended targets on 25th anniversary of Colorado school bloodbath, after researching how long it would take cops to arrive’
- Sebastian Villasenor, 18, was snared after a classmate mentioned his allegedly disturbing fixation on school shootings and his easy access to guns
- California high school student reportedly planned to shoot up his school on the 25th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting
- He is said to have identified at least five fellow students as “targets” in his plot, and investigators found a huge cache of weapons at his home.
A Columbine-obsessed schoolboy plotted to kill six classmates around the 25th anniversary of the infamous Colorado shooting, police say.
Sebastian Villasenor, 18, was ensnared after a classmate at Ontario Christian High School in Ontario, California, reported his allegedly disturbing fixation on school shootings and his easy access to guns.
This included a suspected plot to shoot up his school on or around April 20, the 25th anniversary of the historic 1999 attack on Columbine High School in Colorado, which killed 15 people, including the two shooters.
Investigators said they discovered a stash of firearms at his home, including seven rifles and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and appeared to have identified at least five “targets” in his plot, and were “contemplating” a sixth.
It was found that while Villasenor was not bullied at school, he had difficulties in ‘social interactions’ with other students.
Villasenor has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of making criminal threats, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. He remained imprisoned.
Sebastian Villasenor, 18, faces a slew of charges for plotting a school shooting after a classmate reported his fascination with mass shootings and easy access to guns
Investigators believe Villasenor may have planned a shooting around April 20, the anniversary of the 1999 attack on Columbine High School in Colorado (pictured), which killed 15 people, including the two shooters.
Investigators discovered that Villasenor “intended to carry out a school shooting at Ontario Christian High School” in Ontario, Police Chief Michael Lorenz said at a news conference.
Villasenor, who had no prior criminal record, was arrested Saturday after a classmate reported he “showed signs of being fixated on school shootings and having access to weapons,” the chief said.
School principal Ben Dykhouse said he was grateful to God, the police and the student “who was brave enough to say something when they saw something that wasn’t right.”
The police chief said Villasenor was “obsessed” with school shootings, was researching tactical necessities and how long it would take for police to arrive at the school, and was in the process of choosing a date for his attack.
Police who went to Villasenor’s home found seven rifles, two revolvers, another handgun and a shotgun, along with more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, Lorenz said.
Although he did not have a “hit list,” police believe Villasenor targeted five Ontario students as intended victims and was “considering” a sixth victim, based on interviews about his social interactions with the students, the chief said.
Villasenor allegedly plotted to attack his campus at Ontario Chistian High School (pictured) in Southern California
Lorenz said investigators determined Villasenor was not “bullied or harassed” but had difficulty “forming relationships with other students and in his social interactions.”
Lorenz said investigators believe Villasenor may have planned a shooting around April 20, the anniversary of the 1999 attack at Columbine High School in Colorado that killed 15 people, including the two shooters.
It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who would speak on his behalf.
The district attorney’s office said it had no information on whether Villasenor had representation, but added that an attorney would appear or could be appointed at his scheduled Thursday arraignment.