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Alex Cabrero ReportingTwo different Utah schools, one same problem --guns. School officials uncovered disturbing plots at Northridge High School in Layton and Granger High School in West Valley City. A suspect in each case is now in jail.
The only big thing that was supposed to happen at Granger High School yesterday was its basketball game. But having a student arrested for guns, drugs, and a student-teacher "kill list" is all anybody here is talking about, and Granger wasn't the only school.
Emma Rogers: “There are so many rumors going around today.”
Getting the truth from high school gossip can be as hard as an algebra test.
Mackenzie Hill: “People were saying our principal got stabbed.”
That's not the truth, this is.
Tyler Rosenvall: “Someone bring a gun to school can be pretty dangerous.”
Thursday morning Layton police arrested a 15-year old male student at North Ridge High after he supposedly threatened a female student.
Craig Gibson, Layton Police Dept.: “Potentially it’s because she was going to break up with him, or something to do with young teenager emotions.”
The female student told a teacher, who told the school's detective, who questioned the 15-year old. When the officer patted down the student, he found a loaded gun. The student tried to get away, but the officer stopped him.
Girls we spoke with know the 15-year old who was arrested.
Mackenzie Hill, Northridge Student: "He was mad because some guy was flirting with his girlfriend, and he was mad at a bunch of other kids too."
That's as far as it got, bringing a gun to school.
At Granger High in West Valley their case went further.
Capt. Steve Sunquist, West Valley Police Dept.: “A list…to do list, labeled people to kill. Three names were listed, first names only.”
Tuesday night an anonymous fax was sent to the West Valley police department, labeled "Help." It said a student named Austin had drugs and guns in the school, and was planning on killing several students and a teacher he didn't like.
Police identified the student as Austin Badgett, searched his house, and say they found guns, drugs, and a computer with the names of people he planned on killing.
Steve Sundquist: “We believe we have the individual listed in the fax, but again, he’s denying making any such threats.”
Two schools, two threats, zero victims. All because those who knew told authorities.
Craig Gibson: “All the things that could’ve happened might’ve happened. We’re glad none of them did.”
Two other students are facing charges in the North Ridge case because police say they knew the 15-year old had a gun at school. At Granger, police have been in touch with the people named on that "kill" list.
