WEST ALBANY, Ore., May 27 (UPI) -- The West Albany, Ore., teen accused of plotting to bomb his high school discussed bomb-making with some classmates weeks before his arrest, one student said.
Meanwhile, the Benton County prosecutor said Grant Acord, 17, will be charged as an adult on attempted aggravated murder, manufacture and possession of a destructive device and possession of a deadly weapon with intent to use against another person, KATU-TV, Portland, Ore., reported Sunday.
West Albany High School student Thomas Stone said Acord began talking to him and others about bomb-making materials about two weeks ago.
"He was just, just kind of randomly came up to us and started talking about the different materials that you need to make a bomb," Stone told KATU. "Like, he was describing how to make one, which thinking back should have brought up more suspicion."
Related
Acord was arrested Thursday at his mother's home after police were tipped that the high school junior built a device and targeted his school. Police said he was inspired by the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., that left 13 people dead and 21 others wounded.
Police found pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, napalm bombs and explosives made from drain cleaner in a compartment beneath the floor of the teen's bedroom at his mother's house, Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson said. They also found check lists and a diagram of the school.
Haroldson said Acord had a date for the bombing, but did not reveal it during the news conference.
West Albany High School was swept twice by police and was determined to be safe, Haroldson said. Classes will resume Tuesday, the same day Acord is set to appear in court to face his charges.
