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Oklahoma high school student arrested over e-mail message

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Posted 9:04AM on Friday 5th April 2002 ( 23 years ago )
MOORE, OKLAHOMA - Police arrested an 18-year-old Oklahoma high school student Thursday for allegedly writing an e-mail that discussed his plans to invade the school and kill students and teachers.<br> <br> Brian Robertson was charged with one felony count of planning to cause serious bodily harm or death to another, Police Sgt. Scott Singer said.<br> <br> Singer said Robertson was charged under a relatively new state statute implemented last year in the wake of a rash of school killings nationwide. The statute does not require officials to prove the intent of a threatening message, he said.<br> <br> Late Thursday, police said they didn&#39;t know whether the teen had an attorney.<br> <br> Authorities said an e-mail detailing a plan for an armed invasion of the school was found on Robertson&#39;s computer at Moore High School. The student allegedly discussed in the e-mail the random killings of students and staff and singled out Shirley Lassiter, the senior class principal.<br> <br> Assistant District Attorney Richard Sitzman said the plan was detailed and graphic. He said regardless of Robertson&#39;s intent, police took the plan seriously.<br> <br> &#34;In today&#39;s climate, something like this must be taken seriously, no matter what the students&#39; intent when it was written,&#34; Singer said. &#34;We learned through the experience of Columbine High School and other school shootings that we can&#39;t take these things at face value.&#34;<br> <br> Moore is about 10 miles south of Oklahoma City.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/4/202564

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