Tampa Teen's School Bombing Plans Thwarted
A Tampa teenager's plan to bomb his high school on the first day of classes has been thwarted and the youth arrested on Tuesday.
After receiving an anonymous tip, 17-year-old Jared Cano was arrested and his home searched by a bomb squad.
Various bomb-making materials including fuses, timers, shrapnel, accelerant and plastic tubing were discovered in his apartment, where he lives with his parents.
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Also found was a manifesto detailing Cano's plans. It mapped out Freedom High School in Tampa, Florida and the areas on the school's campus where he planned to place bombs. Also listed in the manifesto were the names of 30 students and 2 school officials Cano wanted killed in the bombing.
According to ABC News, had the attack gone through, it would have been the deadliest school attack since the Columbine shooting in 1999, where seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher and injured 24 others in a 45 minute rampage.
Officials say that the amount of ammunition Cano possessed would have been enough to execute his plans. The attack was planned for 5 a.m. on August 23, the first day of school for Freedom High School.
Cano has been charged with threatening to throw, project, place or discharge a destructive device as well as possession of bomb-making materials, cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
Police report that Cano has an "extensive criminal record," having been arrested for offenses including burglary, possession of a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana.
Cano was expelled from Freedom High School in 2010 for his burglary offense, which entailed him breaking into a house and stealing a firearm, according to police.
Freedom High School Principal Christopher Farkas says school will begin next Tuesday as scheduled but that there would be an increased security presence on campus. Counselors will also be available for students.
