Brazilian authorities arrest teenager who plotted attack on high school – Suspect, 17, was inspired by Columbine massacre
- A 17-year-old boy was arrested in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday after police discovered he was plotting to shoot up a high school
- The suspect told authorities he admired and was inspired by the two attackers responsible for the Columbine school massacre
- Authorities also searched the home of a second teenager who reportedly shared videos about the plot on social media
Brazilian authorities have foiled a school shooting in Rio de Janeiro that was set to take place on the anniversary of the Columbine massacre.
Cops descended upon the school and arrested a teenage suspect outside the school Friday morning, the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police said in a statement.
The 17-year-old boy, whose name has not been released, was allegedly planning to kill students and teachers, whom he issued threats to on online videos.
The teen told police that he admired and was inspired by the April 20, 1999 incident that left 13 people dead at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado.
Authorities arrested a 17-year-old boy in Rio de Janeiro on Friday after the Interpol alerted Brazilian police of his plans to attack a school on April 20, the 24th anniversary of the Columbine massacre
The teenager told Brazilian authorities that he admired and was inspired by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who murdered 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado, on April 20, 1999
Police also searched the home of a second teenager, who reportedly shared the suspect’s videos on social media.
‘This is a very sensitive case, which the police are taking very seriously,’ said Marcus Vinicius Braga, head of the Police Station for the Protection of Children and Adolescents. ‘The (Federal Police) came to us based on an Interpol alert. Between the diligence and the apprehension, there were 24 hours. This minor, today a teenage offender, practiced the act of terrorism.’
Brazilian law enforcement learned of the plot after receiving an alert from Interpol and apprehended the teenager within 25 hours.
The suspect also declared himself to be a Nazi, investigations revealed.
Brazilian police are investigating if the teen linked to the high school shooting plot is linked to any terror group in the South American country
The teen said he received assistance from three friends and that he had done research on the Columbine school massacre
The teenager was planning to carry out the attack on April 20, which would have marked the 24th anniversary of the shooting and attempted bombing at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado.
The teen said he received assistance from three friends and that he had done research on the massacre.
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 students and one teacher at the Colorado school.
A total of 21 people were injured in the shooting and three others sustained injuries while trying to escape the school.
Ten of the students were killed inside a library where Harris and Klebold committed suicide.
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