San Mateo teen who set off bombs at high school was targeting staff
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San Mateo teen who set off bombs at high school was targeting staff, police say
By Joshua Melvin and Neil Gonzales
San Mateo County Times
Posted: 08/25/2009 06:17:05 PM PDT
Updated: 08/26/2009 07:56:29 AM PDT
Click photo to enlarge
Hillsdale High School counselor Ed Canda speaks to the media outside of Hillsdale High School ...«123»The 17-year-old former Hillsdale High student who set off two bombs at the school Monday and was carrying eight more strapped to his chest was targeting school staff members as part of a revenge plot, authorities said Tuesday.
"This was a coldblooded plot of execution," said San Mateo police Chief Susan Manheimer.
No one was injured by the bombs, which exploded in an empty hallway.
Alex Youshock, of San Mateo, was fixated on several "perceived" wrongs and was going to kill the people responsible for them, the chief added. Manheimer did not say if there was a list of people he was targeting or if students were a part of the teen's plot.
She said it was the quick thinking and heroics of several
teachers that prevented "mass casualties."
Youshock was also carrying a sword and a chain saw, but no gun, police said. He was tackled by teacher Kennet Santana after the 17-year-old set off the second bomb in an empty hallway.
He was arrested by police a short time later and has been booked into Hillcrest juvenile hall.
Attempts to reach Youshock's family members were unsuccessful.
Police have recommended that the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office charge the former student with attempted murder, igniting a destructive device with intent to cause bodily harm, possession of a destructive device with intent to destroy property, and assault with a deadly weapon, Manheimer said.
The District Attorney's
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Office has until the end of today to file charges, said Assistant Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti.
Youshock had been planning the attack for months and police recovered additional bomb making materials at his family's apartment. Manheimer didn't say what was seized, but said it was being tested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"He was clearly out to demonstrate that he could get back at them," she said. "He was interested in hurting as many people as possible."
On Tuesday, a custodian scrubbed away a smudge on the hallway floor just outside Room 141 at Hillsdale High. The mark was part of the minor damage done by Monday's explosions.
Although few physical repairs were needed in the aftermath of what could have been a tragedy, a sense of safety and security on campus could take longer for students to fully regain.
School officials have set up counseling for students, who are expected to return to classes today.
Students will have the chance to talk with faculty and staff members in small-group settings about what happened, Hillsdale Principal Jeff Gilbert said.
"We want to make sure we answer their questions," Gilbert said.
At that time, the
entire student body will gather for more discussion and support before instruction restarts, he said.
"We'll try to get people back to a routine," he said.
But Hillsdale senior Quinta Ekong, 17, said that will be a challenge.
"They'll try to convince us we are safe," Quinta said. "But really it just messes you up mentally when you go through such a traumatic event."
The attack also makes her wonder who else among her fellow students might commit such violence, she said.
"It makes you look at everyone and think, 'It could be you or you or you,'"‰" she said. "It's very unnerving."
But fellow senior Jessica Marenco, 17, said she still feels safe at school.
"It's upsetting that (the bombings) happened," she said.
"But Hillsdale is a nice school. Everyone is close to their teachers. I don't understand why anyone would do that."
Much has already been done to strengthen campus security over the years, especially since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, school leaders said.
Peter Hanley, board president for the San Mateo Union High School District, noted that Hillsdale and other campuses feature the so-called Columbine lock system, which allows a teacher to close a classroom from the inside to secure it from outside threats.
The schools also have safety plans and do regular emergency-preparedness drills, Hanley said.
But in light of Monday's attack, school leaders say they will review safety plans and see where improvements can be made.
"I'm sure the administration and the board will do an analysis of what happened," Hanley said.
"If there's something we can improve on, we'll certainly do that."
While Hillsdale parents, students and teachers expressed relief that the attack was stopped before he could hurt anyone, some also voiced feelings of anger.
"It's like a terrorist attack," said Alvaron Trevino, 18, a neighbor and former schoolmate of Youshock.
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YOUSHOCK! What the fuck kinda name is that?
By Joshua Melvin and Neil Gonzales
San Mateo County Times
Posted: 08/25/2009 06:17:05 PM PDT
Updated: 08/26/2009 07:56:29 AM PDT
Click photo to enlarge
Hillsdale High School counselor Ed Canda speaks to the media outside of Hillsdale High School ...«123»The 17-year-old former Hillsdale High student who set off two bombs at the school Monday and was carrying eight more strapped to his chest was targeting school staff members as part of a revenge plot, authorities said Tuesday.
"This was a coldblooded plot of execution," said San Mateo police Chief Susan Manheimer.
No one was injured by the bombs, which exploded in an empty hallway.
Alex Youshock, of San Mateo, was fixated on several "perceived" wrongs and was going to kill the people responsible for them, the chief added. Manheimer did not say if there was a list of people he was targeting or if students were a part of the teen's plot.
She said it was the quick thinking and heroics of several
teachers that prevented "mass casualties."
Youshock was also carrying a sword and a chain saw, but no gun, police said. He was tackled by teacher Kennet Santana after the 17-year-old set off the second bomb in an empty hallway.
He was arrested by police a short time later and has been booked into Hillcrest juvenile hall.
Attempts to reach Youshock's family members were unsuccessful.
Police have recommended that the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office charge the former student with attempted murder, igniting a destructive device with intent to cause bodily harm, possession of a destructive device with intent to destroy property, and assault with a deadly weapon, Manheimer said.
The District Attorney's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
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Office has until the end of today to file charges, said Assistant Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti.
Youshock had been planning the attack for months and police recovered additional bomb making materials at his family's apartment. Manheimer didn't say what was seized, but said it was being tested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"He was clearly out to demonstrate that he could get back at them," she said. "He was interested in hurting as many people as possible."
On Tuesday, a custodian scrubbed away a smudge on the hallway floor just outside Room 141 at Hillsdale High. The mark was part of the minor damage done by Monday's explosions.
Although few physical repairs were needed in the aftermath of what could have been a tragedy, a sense of safety and security on campus could take longer for students to fully regain.
School officials have set up counseling for students, who are expected to return to classes today.
Students will have the chance to talk with faculty and staff members in small-group settings about what happened, Hillsdale Principal Jeff Gilbert said.
"We want to make sure we answer their questions," Gilbert said.
At that time, the
entire student body will gather for more discussion and support before instruction restarts, he said.
"We'll try to get people back to a routine," he said.
But Hillsdale senior Quinta Ekong, 17, said that will be a challenge.
"They'll try to convince us we are safe," Quinta said. "But really it just messes you up mentally when you go through such a traumatic event."
The attack also makes her wonder who else among her fellow students might commit such violence, she said.
"It makes you look at everyone and think, 'It could be you or you or you,'"‰" she said. "It's very unnerving."
But fellow senior Jessica Marenco, 17, said she still feels safe at school.
"It's upsetting that (the bombings) happened," she said.
"But Hillsdale is a nice school. Everyone is close to their teachers. I don't understand why anyone would do that."
Much has already been done to strengthen campus security over the years, especially since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, school leaders said.
Peter Hanley, board president for the San Mateo Union High School District, noted that Hillsdale and other campuses feature the so-called Columbine lock system, which allows a teacher to close a classroom from the inside to secure it from outside threats.
The schools also have safety plans and do regular emergency-preparedness drills, Hanley said.
But in light of Monday's attack, school leaders say they will review safety plans and see where improvements can be made.
"I'm sure the administration and the board will do an analysis of what happened," Hanley said.
"If there's something we can improve on, we'll certainly do that."
While Hillsdale parents, students and teachers expressed relief that the attack was stopped before he could hurt anyone, some also voiced feelings of anger.
"It's like a terrorist attack," said Alvaron Trevino, 18, a neighbor and former schoolmate of Youshock.
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YOUSHOCK! What the fuck kinda name is that?
