No charges for boy who talked about school shooting

Published 9:37 pm Tuesday, November 22, 2011

PUYALLUP — A Pierce County deputy prosecutor says no criminal charges will be filed against a 14-year-old boy accused of telling fellow students he wanted to launch a “Columbine-style” attack at a junior high school.

Deputy Prosecutor Fred Wist told The News Tribune on Tuesday there is no evidence the boy committed a crime. Says Wist, “Talking about a crime and writing about a crime is not a crime.” He says the investigation found no evidence that the boy took “a substantial step” toward acting.

Police reported the boy had no access to guns and hadn’t drawn up a battle plan or picked a date for an attack. He reportedly told other students about his desire to shoot up Aylen Junior High School in Puyallup, and one of them told a school safety officer.

School officials could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the boy’s status at school.