Bench Trial Set For Oakland County Teen Accused Of Threatening School Shooting 'Like Columbine'

PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A bench trial has been granted for a 14-year-old Highland Township boy accused of threatening to kill everyone at his high school.

Judge Elizabeth Pezzetti agreed Monday to hold a bench trial on April 13 to determine the seriousness of the alleged threats the Milford High School freshman made last month.

The teen is accused of making a false threat of terrorism and use of a computer to commit a crime. He's being prosecuted as a juvenile in Oakland County Probate Court.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says the 14-year-old student sent a group text, warning friends to stay home because he was going to "shoot up" Milford High School. One message said he was going to "Columbine this s***" — comparing his plans to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado.

Students who saw the message, on the social media site KIK, told their parents, the parents called police, and the teen was brought in for questioning.

Bouchard said nine firearms — including long guns and handguns — were removed from the teen's Highland Township home.

The boy — who prosecutors say is a self-described loner who suffers from depression and anxiety — is being held in Children's Village without bond.

Prosecutor Anthony Marek said that the boy has made similar verbal threats to "shoot up the school" prior to the online post that led to his arrest.

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