Police: Teens Plotted Columbine-like Massacre

Sept. 16, 2006 — -- Police say the plan was diabolical and imminent: Shawn Sturtz and William Cornell, both 17 years old, had amassed an arsenal of guns, ammunition and at least 20 homemade bombs.

"This threat was real and would have been carried out in the near future," said Capt. Lisa Sterr of the Green Bay Police Department.

Authorities say both boys had long been fascinated with the Columbine massacre of 1999. They were depressed, hated school and hoped to die in a shootout. They had apparently learned how to build bombs on the Internet.

According to police, the teens planned to storm the school, set off bombs in the bathrooms, and light the doors on fire with napalm so no one could get out. Investigators say there was also a list of people they planned to kill.

"One's got to ask themselves, as the mayor of this city: 'Where were the parents in this?' " said Green Bay Mayor James J. Schmitt.

As they walked out of court, Sturtz's family maintained they were in the dark.

Investigators say the Columbine-style plan was two years in the making. A fellow student tipped off school officials.

"If someone hadn't come forward, we'd be talking about funerals instead of charges," said John Zakowski, Brown County District Attorney.

Sturtz and Cornell are being on held on a $50,000 dollar bond. They are expected to be charged next week with conspiracy to commit homicide.