Three Britton Middle School students were cited to Juvenile
Court by Morgan Hill Police on Monday for conspiracy to commit
arson and vandalism after officers investigating trash can fires
the week before turned up information about a planned disturbance
on the last day of school.
Three Britton Middle School students were cited to Juvenile Court by Morgan Hill Police on Monday for conspiracy to commit arson and vandalism after officers investigating trash can fires the week before turned up information about a planned disturbance on the last day of school.
According to police, the three eighth-grade boys – 13, 14 and 15 years old – were “in the process of coordinating a threat to damage school property,” including using pipe bombs, smoke bombs, stink bombs setting fire to garbage cans, and “toilet papering” restrooms at the school.
Two of the students also were cited for arson in connection with an incident May 12 in which garbage can fires were started at the school.
The students were released to their parents.
Searches of the boys’ homes did not find any materials used to make pipe bomb materials. Police did find items that indicated the youths were planning to ignite smoke and stink bombs.
Principal Russom Mesfun said the boys have been disciplined but declined to offer any details. He described the boys as good students who have not previously been in trouble.
Mesfun said the boys alerted school authorities about the planned disturbance.
