Teen charged over Facebook 'hit list'

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 2 (UPI) -- Canadian police in Vancouver arrested an 18-year-old on weapons charges after classmates complained he posted a 117-name "hit list" on the Internet.

Inspector Scott Thompson told a Monday news conference the investigation began Friday when six fellow students of the accused at Templeton High School came forward complaining of the list posted on the Facebook social networking site, the Vancouver Sun reported.

Thompson said a search of the youth's home turned up ammunition, a sawed-off shotgun, a sword and a machete. He said while the youth is now 18, his name is being withheld as the alleged crimes were committed while he was a minor.

"It's a disturbing incident for Templeton secondary school and the most serious incident of its type Vancouver police have had to deal with, but I can assure the public that there are no immediate concerns for the safety of staff and students at the school," he said.

Thompson said the youth appeared to be acting on his own and 71 of the names on the list were teachers and classmates. Police were trying to determine his relationship with the other 46 people, the Sun said.