May 12, 1999
Web posted at: 10:44 AM EDT (1444 GMT)
MEDFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Seven teen-agers have been arrested on charges of threatening to detonate bombs at their high school, including one threat targeting Jewish classmates.
"A bomb is in the school to kill Jews," stated a note found by a student at Shawnee High School, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.
Senior Rory McGovern, 18, of Medford, was arrested May 3 on a charge that he used red lipstick to write one of four threats at the school 20 miles south of Trenton.
Six juveniles between the ages of 15 and 17 were charged Monday with various counts of causing a false public alarm, making terrorist threats and conspiracy. Each was released to parents.
The students have been suspended and face expulsion, said school spokeswoman Pat Milich.
The threats came in the aftermath of the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Fifteen people died in the attack.
School officials said they hope the arrests will halt a recent spate of phony bomb reports that have forced evacuations.