"Villages Charter School students arrested after plotting Columbine-style shooting"

[Taltarzac725]

Headline from the other news site for the Villages. 13 and 14 year olds.

[pooh]

Just saw. GOODNESS, I can't even imagine this!

[CFrance]

Kudos to the students that heard something, said something.

[Rockyrd]

Headline from the other news site for the Villages. 13 and 14 year olds.

Constant barrage of so called adults talking nothing but hate will "trickle down". Anything on news that does not involve hating another or groups of others ?

Thankful this was found and stopped.

When the adults talk nothing but hate and violence, they have an audience.

Say a prayer tonight of thanks and strength for famalies.

[dietpepsi]

will be interesting what the "SUN" says about this

[villagetinker]

Just read the report on online news and Leesburg site, thank god that some students spoke up. This is scary as weapons were found at each house. I am sure this will be all over the news on television tomorrow morning. I tend to agree with some of the previous comments, this election has done nothing but create a huge division in this country. I hope that somehow someone finds a way to get to common ground.

[twoplanekid]

I am more inclined to believe that news playing up violence in schools and violence found on TV/movies/internet has more motivation for kids than the last election. Read the court docs that describe the events leading to the school shooting last week in Ohio. I am pleased to learn that this Florida event didn’t turn out like the one at West Liberty schools.

Urbana Daily Citizen | Court statement details shooter’s account of events (http://urbanacitizen.com/news/44502/court-statement-details-shooters-account-of-events)

Keep praying for Logan's recovery!

[NYGUY]

Very scary....

[Villager Dude]

Thank God this was put under control and arrests made prior to any disaster. Thanks to those that came forward and discussed with authorities.

Schools should be safe in our country.

[Barefoot]

Kudos to the students that heard something, said something. Exactly.

[villagerjack]

Just read the report on online news and Leesburg site, thank god that some students spoke up. This is scary as weapons were found at each house. I am sure this will be all over the news on television tomorrow morning. I tend to agree with some of the previous comments, this election has done nothing but create a huge division in this country. I hope that somehow someone finds a way to get to common ground.

Country was divided BEFORE the election.

[TheDude]

what the hell is going on. If they were going to TV charter school does this mean the parents work or are affiliated with the villages? Yes
Enrollment

The Villages Charter School (K-12) operates by a Charter Agreement approved by the Sumter County Board of Education and the Florida State Department of Education. Unlike traditional county schools, our enrollment criteria are based upon one of the parents/guardians/ place of employment rather than geographic address of their home. Click Marketplace to see the list of qualifying business partners.

Qualifying Employment
Employment is verified on each new applicant, and will be verified on a monthly basis for all enrolled students.

Category I - Direct employee of any business identified as a Villages Company.

Category II - Any Community Development District or Special District over any portion of The Villages and Business Partners under direct contract (other than a lease) with a Villages Company. Business Partners in this Category include those providing construction services, maintenance, or other similar services, or supplying general support services such as legal or accounting within The Villages. Only those employees that are working on Villages Projects qualify. Under “direct contract” refers to the relationships between Category 2 Business Partners and a Villages Company. The work and/or services provided to the Villages Company must be regular and on-going and that work must be paid for directly from the Villages Company. For businesses who perform regular and on-going services to a Villages Company, but who also performs services for other businesses and residential (non-Villages Company) – only that work provided to and paid for by the Villages Company will be considered as under direct contract, and only those employees performing those services under direct contract work are eligible for the benefits of The Villages Charter School.
Category III - Business Partners who lease directly from a Villages Company or that own a permanent business site purchased directly from The Villages and from which they operate their business within The Villages.
Category IV - Business Partners that lease a permanent business site from a non-Villages entity or that purchased a permanent business site from a non-Villages entity, from which they operate their business within The Villages. The Villages Charter School Enrollment Committee will review each applicant in this Category to confirm, in its sole discretion, that the Business Partner participates in and benefits the development of The Villages.
Please call the Enrollment Office (352-259-6848) to determine if a business is qualified for enrollment.
Parents who work full-time (40 hours per week) are given priority over parents who work part-time (more than 20 hours, but less than 40 hours per week).
Employment eligibility does not guarantee enrollment. Other factors (such as available enrollment slots and the new student's prior year attendance, discipline and special needs) all considered.

Personally this is big news for TV and the parents had to know something (and I don't want to hear excuses because the excuses would have been mute if it would have happened.

[TheDude]

the kids had to be known also as I thought I would add this...

Please note that as of 1/3/17, some grade levels are at capacity (PK 1, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th Grades) and several other grade levels are very near capacity (PK2, PK3, PK4, 2nd, & 3rd grades). We encourage all families interested in VCS to submit an application as soon as possible to either secure an enrollment slot or a place on the waiting list.

The Villages Charter Schools - Central Office (http://www.thevillagescharterschool.org/centralOffice/enrollment.asp)

[justjim]

Shocking--- doesn't give this news justice. Middle school kids planning a shooting at the Villages Charter School. Say it ain't so.

[graciegirl]

[Thank heavens it was discovered in time.

[Jayhawk]

Police arrest two teens for planning mass school shooting | New York Post (http://nypost.com/2017/01/27/police-arrest-two-teens-for-planning-mass-school-shooting/)

[rivaridger1]

I'd like to think the " Daily Sun " would do its job and cover this thoroughly, but that probably is not going to happen. I'm sure we will see something about it on the local TV stations and it probably will be picked up nationally.

[Bigben007]

It's on the first page of the NYPOST this morning.

[rivaridger1]

I'd like to think the " Daily Sun " would do its job and cover this thoroughly, but that probably is not going to happen. I'm sure we will see something about it on the local TV stations and it probably will be picked up nationally.

Just read the " Sun " report, they did a decent job with the story.

[Taltarzac725]

Just read the " Sun " report, they did a decent job with the story.

I agree. Probably should have been on the Front Page but maybe that was so that it would not upset people needlessly by others seeing that in grocery stores and the like.

[davefin]

This is soooo sad. What's even more disturbing is some of the responses here have "the election" mentioned. What the hell! Get over it people lets address the safety of our wonderful community without bringing election results into the picture. These plots and actual shootings have been going on for years and years now.

[bagboy]

The student (s) that saw something, heard something, and said something should be honored and rewarded for their actions that in all probability saved many lives.

[FlamingoFlo]

I find it frightening that they didn't even try to deny it or say that it was all a big joke or misunderstanding. They readily admitted it like they were proud of it. How are these kids being raised that they can think this is ok?

[justjim]

I find it frightening that they didn't even try to deny it or say that it was all a big joke or misunderstanding. They readily admitted it like they were proud of it. How are these kids being raised that they can think this is ok?

According to the Daily Sun page A6: "Both boys claimed it was all a joke, according to the report". The report was likely the police report.

[Taltarzac725]

2 Teens Arrested After Planning Middle School Mass Shooting | abc7news.com (http://abc7news.com/news/2-teens-arrested-after-planning-middle-school-mass-shooting/1723429/)

This has made the national news. I checked San Francisco.

[Taltarzac725]

According to the Daily Sun page A6: "Both boys claimed it was all a joke, according to the report". The report was likely the police report.

They may be talking to a defense lawyer already.

[daveczo]

Why do we "thank God" that this wasn't successful? Do we blame "god" if it was? Never makes sense to me.

[RedChariot]

Police arrest two teens for planning mass school shooting | New York Post (http://nypost.com/2017/01/27/police-arrest-two-teens-for-planning-mass-school-shooting/)

Having this press on national news is so disturbing. I would imagine people will question what kind of retirement community is that?? Not one most people would want. Is there not more and more crime happening here? You all read the headlines. I don't need to go through all the different events of late. I often here it is to be expected n a community this size. But not in a retirement community!
In the 5 years we are here, I have seen a change. Not for the better. I am saddened and worry where this is all headed.

[DeanFL]

2 cents:

1. However/whoever/whatever averted this> phew.
2. Lesson for ALL students/citizens. See/hear something - say something.
3. This BETTER be in the Villages Sun soon - if not, they will hear from me. Isn't it a NEWSpaper???
4. Those boys just ruined their lives totally - thankfully it's just theirs and not potentially others.
5. Imagine being their parent(s)? Wonder if they were blindsided...hope so.
6. When I was those boy's age, I was beginning to check out girls, play baseball, and put pennies on railroad tracks. I must be getting old, saying the "when I was your age..."

[Hummintwo]

I am proud of the students that came forward but police have to be diligent because there may be others that were sympathizers of the two students arrested or may act independently. Now is the time for all teachers in the classroom to pay attention and take note of any students that can fall into the category of sympathizers or act independently.

[asianthree]

On the news up north. With pictures of the villages and the schools for a 3 minute slot

[Taltarzac725]

On the news up north. With pictures of the villages and the schools for a 3 minute slot

Where's this asianthree?

This happens everywhere now. I doubt if it will have much of a negative impact on the Villages. And they stopped it which is the real important part. We do look out for one another here and that includes the kids of workers of places in the Villages.

[rustyp]

My gut says beware of the media on this story. These are very young adolescents that are very vulnerable to peer pressure. We who live here in The Villages know that this is not inner city gang types that get accepted to this charter school (all the better news story). The media also saying weapons found in their homes - yeh? What kind of weapons? Their parents legally registered pistol? Kids of their age can say some pretty stupid things to get attention of their friends. I don't think if we made this statement when we were kids it would get this kind of attention verses a strong lecture from parents and authorities. I sincerely hope this is the case here.

[maddie101]

The student (s) that saw something, heard something, and said something should be honored and rewarded for their actions that in all probability saved many lives.

Would someone here be willing to set up a go fund me account for those students? Accounts are so often set up for victims of shootings. Why not for these brave kids.

It has gained national attention, maybe we could get a scholarship for them to use towards college.

Just a thought.

[Sandtrap328]

[QUOTE=DeanFL;1352372]2 cents:


3. This BETTER be in the Villages Sun soon - if not, they will hear from me. Isn't it a NEWSpaper???
QUOTE]

You should have read your Daily Sun more carefully before typing a posting. Big article about it on A-6.

[billethkid]

The envoronment young people grow up in today is too permissive; very much lacking in discipline (as most of us experienced); and probably most importantly the availability of training for violence starts at is allowed and condoned starting at a very ealy age.....the movies, television, most electronic games are all based on guns, vilence, murder, mayhem, rape and more.........this exposure along with the permissive tone of the day.....along with lack of enforcement of laws and rules and regulations all contribute to assuring there will be a continued source of threat to many lives......yes even here in the bubble........they have the same exposure to the same violence training and tolerance as the inner city kids......

no mystery to the end result.

Congratulations to those who did say something....and indicator of hope!!!

[Sandtrap328]

The envoronment young people grow up in today is too permissive; very much lacking in discipline (as most of us experienced); and probably most importantly the availability of training for violence starts at is allowed and condoned starting at a very ealy age.....the movies, television, most electronic games are all based on guns, vilence, murder, mayhem, rape and more.........this exposure along with the permissive tone of the day.....along with lack of enforcement of laws and rules and regulations all contribute to assuring there will be a continued source of threat to many lives......yes even here in the bubble........they have the same exposure to the same violence training and tolerance as the inner city kids......

no mystery to the end result.

Congratulations to those who did say something....and indicator of hope!!!

While what you say is true about extreme violence in movies, television, and video games - it is the parents who allow their kids to be exposed to them. The parents of these kids are "our children's" ages. Does it show we did not raise our children properly and they have passed it on to their children? Think about it.

[rustyp]

The envoronment young people grow up in today is too permissive; very much lacking in discipline (as most of us experienced); and probably most importantly the availability of training for violence starts at is allowed and condoned starting at a very ealy age.....the movies, television, most electronic games are all based on guns, vilence, murder, mayhem, rape and more.........this exposure along with the permissive tone of the day.....along with lack of enforcement of laws and rules and regulations all contribute to assuring there will be a continued source of threat to many lives......yes even here in the bubble........they have the same exposure to the same violence training and tolerance as the inner city kids......

no mystery to the end result.

Congratulations to those who did say something....and indicator of hope!!!

While I don't disagree with your viewpoint in this everyone gets a trophy society I'll offer a different viewpoint. These kids today have no privacy to grow up under. Most every thing they touch can be monitored even to their location and driving habits. Doesn't leave a lot of room to learn from your mistakes without being caught. I would have been in a lot of trouble thinking back on some of those not so smart things I did 50 - 60 years ago.

[DeanFL]

[QUOTE=DeanFL;1352372]2 cents:


3. This BETTER be in the Villages Sun soon - if not, they will hear from me. Isn't it a NEWSpaper???
QUOTE]

You should have read your Daily Sun more carefully before typing a posting. Big article about it on A-6.


My bad - I took the word of some folks here and elsewhere that indicated otherwise. I am humbled, and AOK on my Sun subscription...

[Pointer]

Wow, this is hitting to close for comfort. I agree that there is such an emphasis on violence and that violence begets violence. I also think that it is hard to not be exposed to it no matter what your age. I go the the movies and have to sit through violent preview after violent preview. I don't watch much TV because there's not much that isn't about violence and crime. You can't get away from it. I don't know how we keep our children from it when we can't even keep ourselves from exposure.
We jump to blame the parents before knowing the story. There are so many more good parents and good in the world that we should be focusing on. As a preschool teacher I learned that when you focus on the behavior that you want to see more of you get more of that. We support the media and movies with our dollars thus giving it life. Maybe we need to focus on our economic influence of this type of media after all we wouldn't be getting it if it weren't a money maker. Do kids whose brains aren't even fully developed even know the magnitude of death. I know adults who don't till it hits home, and on the other hand I know kids who know all to well, way before they should, the magnitude of that kind of permanent loss and the lasting effects it has on life.
My heart goes out to everyone involved. What a good example of taking a stand the kids who reported it and to the folks who took action. I agree that we should focus on them, not the other way around. They have the right message, the one we want to support.

[Chatbrat]

There are no such things as legally registered guns in fl. Fl approves the info on the Federal Forma for purchase from a dealer. However; the parents could be in a world of trouble by keeping their firearms unsecured.

[dmorhome]

do not blame election, blame the parents for having gun's and ammo unsecured .

[Trish Crocker]

The kids said they were 'kidding' and it is quite possible with kids that age. The problem is, we have to take everything seriously. The news said there were guns in the homes, not that the kids had guns. Who knows if they were guns the parents had locked up or if the kids had access. My grandson goes to the Villages Pre-school..which is next door to the middle school. Needless to say, Milo stayed with grandma and grandpa today.

[virgind]

It isnt just during the election debates this has been coming for some time. Dont go blaming current events.

[rustyp]

do not blame election, blame the parents for having gun's and ammo unsecured .

I missed this - please help me. Is it fact that the authorities found illegal or unsecured weapons in these adolescents households ? The only thing I have read was weapons were found. What does that mean?

[jbdlfan]

Ok. First off, kids say and do stupid stuff. The only reason this came to light is social media. Kids have said and thought this stuff for years. This is much more complicated than many people know. Ask yourself this question, " Why would kids in a perfect school do this is? "
Maybe, just maybe, it's not not the nirvana you think.
Just hitting some major points. I deal with this stuff quite often and see how this happens more often than you think.

[spuds51]

I'd like to think the " Daily Sun " would do its job and cover this thoroughly, but that probably is not going to happen. I'm sure we will see something about it on the local TV stations and it probably will be picked up nationally.

I believe that covering "thoroughly" events like this may very well be part of the problem itself. Giving names, showing their faces, telling their stories (ala, someone knocked their books out of their hands or called them ugly).
Children at that age are extremely impressionable. They watch these things on tv and think that they want to be famous like them. One even mentioned Columbine.
I believe that no mass shooter should have his name or face revealed. You are giving them exactly what they want. Don't Do It !! Report that there has been another senseless school shooting by deranged student. Even throw in loser wouldn't hurt.
Never give a terrorist's name or cause..ever!

[Taltarzac725]

I believe that covering "thoroughly" events like this may very well be part of the problem itself. Giving names, showing their faces, telling their stories (ala, someone knocked their books out of their hands or called them ugly).
Children at that age are extremely impressionable. They watch these things on tv and think that they want to be famous like them. One even mentioned Columbine.
I believe that no mass shooter should have his name or face revealed. You are giving them exactly what they want. Don't Do It !! Report that there has been another senseless school shooting by deranged student. Even throw in loser wouldn't hurt.
Never give a terrorist's name or cause..ever!

This will never work as the living ones would need to face their accusers as outlined in the State and US Constitutions. More "loser" name calling might work better than and a heavier teaching of the very real consequences of violence especially gun violence. There is way too much use of blood and guts as entertainment.

[spuds51]

"This will never work as the living ones would need to face their accusers as outlined in the State and US Constitutions"

Facing your accusers and having the media plaster the shooters name and face all over the screen are two different things. No news outlet is bound to have to show their faces or give their names. They do it for ratings, wanting to be the first with the story. I won't disagree with you about all the blood and guts as entertainment. It may be much more graphic now but there was violence in movies when we were kids. All the war movies, cowboys and indians. Hell, when we were kids they bought us toy guns to play with. We never went into a school and shot a bunch of people because we didn't make the basketball team or something.
I guess everyone has their own ideas but I believe there would not be as much of this if the Media would just stop showing their faces and telling their names.

[Miles42]

Why is it that guns are jumped on in cases like this rather than the nut cases making the plans. Can any one address the real cause of these mentally unstable people or should we just stick our weads in the sand and ignore the bullying that goes on in every school. or the mental health issues in this country. Or world wide for that matter

[Rosie1950]

Well if mental health is the issue, why on earth would you have a loaded gun in your night stand readily available for your child WITH mental health issues? Seems to me babies are not born to hate they are taught to hate. Why did this young man go to a Holocaust tribute with swastikas on his hands and Nazi logs on his arms? ( That was from the PD report ) Who does this, children are taught this kind of hate. While I was out and and about yesterday I saw a large truck parked in Red lobster flying a full size US flag and a full size confederate flag and I thought to myself "dam fool still fighting' the war get over it". When you see these messages in your face every day day what are you supposed to think? What are the kids supposed to think? Why did Roof shoot 9 innocent people in a church? Hatred! Who taught him that?

[circletrack]

I'd like to think the " Daily Sun " would do its job and cover this thoroughly, but that probably is not going to happen. I'm sure we will see something about it on the local TV stations and it probably will be picked up nationally.

Based on the past two days of coverage from the Sun, I'd say they have.

[Barefoot]

I believe that covering "thoroughly" events like this may very well be part of the problem itself. Giving names, showing their faces, telling their stories (ala, someone knocked their books out of their hands or called them ugly).
Children at that age are extremely impressionable. They watch these things on tv and think that they want to be famous like them. One even mentioned Columbine.
I believe that no mass shooter should have his name or face revealed. You are giving them exactly what they want. Don't Do It !! Report that there has been another senseless school shooting by deranged student. Even throw in loser wouldn't hurt.
Never give a terrorist's name or cause..ever!Spuds, I think you are right. The Media "glamorizes" these shooters and makes excuses for them.
I think that encourages other teenagers to repeat the behavior.

[ColdNoMore]

Well if mental health is the issue, why on earth would you have a loaded gun in your night stand readily available for your child WITH mental health issues? Seems to me babies are not born to hate they are taught to hate. Why did this young man go to a Holocaust tribute with swastikas on his hands and Nazi logs on his arms? ( That was from the PD report ) Who does this, children are taught this kind of hate. While I was out and and about yesterday I saw a large truck parked in Red lobster flying a full size US flag and a full size confederate flag and I thought to myself "dam fool still fighting' the war get over it". When you see these messages in your face every day day what are you supposed to think? What are the kids supposed to think? Why did Roof shoot 9 innocent people in a church? Hatred! Who taught him that?

:bowdown:

:agree:

[Retiring]

This was on the local news here in Seattle. Of course neighbor asks if this is the same place that I plan to retire? I told him crazy is everywhere. Thank God it was caught in time.

[Taltarzac725]

This was on the local news here in Seattle. Of course neighbor asks if this is the same place that I plan to retire? I told him crazy is everywhere. Thank God it was caught in time.

This place is quite good it seems for law enforcement and neighbors looking out for one another. Far from perfect but what place on earth is?

[OhioBuckeye]

Well no place is perfect, but I'm sure TV try very hard to try & keep it perfect. Thank god we have some really good kids at TV H.S. that made the authorities aware of what was about to happen. This just goes to show us there are some kids with great morals & parents that brought their children up right! Thank you Villages H.S. students & the parents that raised these kids!

[Taltarzac725]

Well no place is perfect, but I'm sure TV try very hard to try & keep it perfect. Thank god we have some really good kids at TV H.S. that made the authorities aware of what was about to happen. This just goes to show us there are some kids with great morals & parents that brought their children up right! Thank you Villages H.S. students & the parents that raised these kids!

Well put. There are many things a community can do to stop these kinds of things from happening and the first one of course is to look out for another. Easy in a place like this where there are not many problems with respect to drug abuse and criminal drug trade, alcoholism, unemployment, racism, etc. Some of these problems exist but they are next to nothing compared with many other areas of this size.

[leftyf]

They were supposed to appear in court yesterday, does anybody know what happened? Nothing in either paper.

[Taltarzac725]

They were supposed to appear in court yesterday, does anybody know what happened? Nothing in either paper.

That's quite quick.

[Taltarzac725]

They were supposed to appear in court yesterday, does anybody know what happened? Nothing in either paper.

SUMTER CLERK (https://www.civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/60/)

If you remember their names you can try this in a few days.

[mraines]

Constant barrage of so called adults talking nothing but hate will "trickle down". Anything on news that does not involve hating another or groups of others ?

Thankful this was found and stopped.

When the adults talk nothing but hate and violence, they have an audience.

Say a prayer tonight of thanks and strength for famalies.

I agree with you about the hateful adults. So surprised there is so much of it here. While I certainly don't condone what these kids were planning, I thought minor's names and photos were protected. Not on the Villages news.com.

[Barefoot]

Thank god we have some really good kids at TV H.S. that made the authorities aware of what was about to happen. This just goes to show us there are some kids with great morals & parents that brought their children up right! Thank you Villages H.S. students & the parents that raised these kids!
:agree: