Teens Charged in Alleged Plan to Attack Md. School

18-year-old Yonata Getachew Photo Montgomery County Police

MYFOXDC-Two Montgomery County teenagers are facing conspiracy to commit murder charges after police say they unraveled a plot to bomb their high school.

Police say 17-year-old Anthony Torrence and 18-year-old Yonata Getachew— both 11th graders– planned to kill the principal of Springbrook High School using chemical reaction bombs. Police say the pair had a hit list that also included a school guidance counselor Camille Bosoco.

The plot was revealed Tuesday afternoon when a school resource officer began questioning Torrence outside the school. Police say Torrence told Officer Rodney Barnes about the plot and pointed a finger at Getachew.

When police searched the pair’s homes, they say officers found flammable liquids, a carbon dioxide cartridge, nails, balloons, homemade wicks and fireworks.

At an afternoon news conference Wednesday, Chief of Police Thomas Manger said the pair planned to cut a natural gas pipeline at the school and set it on fire.

Plans, notes and a physical design of the school were also found during the search. Police say the pair is suspected of setting off at least one and perhaps three devices inside the school.

Investigators are unsure when the two planned to carry out the attack.

Torrence is being charged as an adult in this case. Torrence lives with his mother in a Burtonsville apartment, but he is currently being held in the Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville and being monitored in the medical unit.

Andrea Torrence allowed FOX 5 to record her voice through the front door.

“My son is innocent,” Torrence said, “Anthony has a severe learning disability and gets very confused when he is questioned.”

She also told FOX 5’s Will Thomas police executed a search warrant Wednesday at 2am and claims they did not recover any of the bomb making evidence.

FOX 5 also learned details of the alleged plot. The charging documents suggest the teenage suspects intended to throw bombs filled with nails into the offices of the principal and the guidance counselor.

Detectives also believe the boys planned to cut the natural gas line in the Springbrook auditorium and throw an incendiary device inside to set off an explosion.

Torrance and Getachew will have a bond review hearing Thursday. Both teens have been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to manufacture or possess a destructive device, three counts of arson in the first degree, and reckless endangerment.

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