Teenager accused of planning repeat Columbine massacre ‘asked teacher’s advice on gun,’ court hears
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The science teacher of a teenager accused of planning a repeat of the Columbine massacre told a court the boy asked him which gun he would prefer to be shot with. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also asked for advice from the chemistry teacher about making explosives and told him he wanted to “blow up a mosque,” the Old Bailey heard.
The teenager is on trial accused of stockpiling weapons for a terror attack on his former school in Loughborough, Leicestershire, as well as naming his college, a local mosque, a cinema and council offices as potential targets. He denies the charges.
The teacher told the jury his former pupil looked at firearms on the internet while at school and referred to weapons used in the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado, in which 13 innocent people were killed.
“He asked me which gun I would prefer to be shot with. The message, which I took to as an empty threat at the time, was he was considering a shooting.”
The trial continues.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments