An 18-year-old student, Sebastian Villasenor, is accused of planning a school shooting at Ontario Christian High School, leading to his arrest by the Ontario Police Department on Saturday, reported CBS News.
Chief Michael Lorenz disclosed that Villasenor's intentions were uncovered following viable threats made on Thursday, Feb. 8.
During a press briefing, Lorenz revealed the extent of Villasenor's preparations, stating, "What we discovered through the course of our investigation was that Villasenor had every intention of carrying out a school shooting at the Ontario Christian High School."
Authorities unearthed a cache of weaponry during a search of Villasenor's residence, including seven rifles, two revolvers, one handgun, and one shotgun, along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
"We determined through various interviews that Villasenor had five intended victims and contemplated a sixth victim," Lorenz affirmed.
The investigation unveiled Villasenor's planning, including research into tactical supplies and police response times. His fixation on past school shootings, particularly the Columbine High School tragedy, prompted suspicions that he might have targeted April 20 for his attack, mirroring the date of the Columbine incident in 1999.
Villasenor now faces charges of attempted criminal threats and five counts of attempted murder, all felonies, as confirmed by Lorenz. The accused was formally charged on Wednesday and is currently held at West Valley County Jail.
Regarding Villasenor's motive, Lorenz said, "We have been able to determine from interviews he was not bullied or harassed; he did, however, have difficulties in forming relationships with other students and in his social interactions."
The prompt action of a fellow student, who reported Villasenor's fixation with school shootings despite being suspended at the time, was instrumental in thwarting the potential tragedy. OCHS Principal Ben Dykhouse alerted authorities upon receiving the report.
"There was a student who was so brave to come forward, see something say something, and shared their fear that they and others could be harmed by Villasenor," commended Lorenz. "To be clear, the student who came forward ... is a hero."
Authorities reassured the public of the safety of students and staff, expressing confidence that there are no lingering threats within the school community.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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