By Eileen Buckley
Amherst, NY – Local law enforcement officers believe they have thwarted a potential bomb scheme at Sweet Home High School in Amherst.
A 15-year-old student has been arrested. Authorities say the sophomore told his friends he was planning to use bomb-making materials at the school after Christmas break of his senior year.
Sweet Home Schools Superintendent Geoffrey Hicks says he could not release information about the student, but explained how they learned of the potential threat.
"We were first made aware of the situation through students and parents giving us phone calls about what they believed to be strange and suspicious behavior," Hicks said. "Immediately upon receiving that, we began an investigation where we were in touch with Amherst and Tonawanda police and took it from there."
Police say they discovered some materials and bomb-making instructions at the teen's Tonawanda home. It included information on the Columbine High School shootings. He has been charged with criminal possession of dangerous weapons.
The boy's name isn't being released because he has been charged as a juvenile.
Hicks says they will be meeting with faculty, staff and students on Monday to explain the situation and address any safety concerns.