Three North Tonawanda students charged with making terroristic threat

Three North Tonawanda High School have been charged with making a terroristic threat, police say.

On February 28th, three students -- ages 14, 15, and 16 -- were overheard talking about how they would carry out a school shooting at NTHS. 

They were overheard by another student who told their parent, who then called the police. 

According to police, the students discussed "an advanced level plan": one of them would pull a fire alarm and then go outside with the rest of the students, shooting them from inside the crowd. The other two involved students would be outside shooting at the students as they exited the school. 

The 14-, 15-, and 16-year-old were interviewed by police with cooperation from their parents. Their rooms were searched and no weapons or planning materials were found. 

The students claimed the discussion was a joke and had no intention of carrying out the shooting, but due to the "advanced level of the plan", police charged them with making a terroristic threat, a felony.

The 16-year-old was charged last week Thursday, March 1st and arraigned the following Friday. According to police, he has since been released to his parents. He is due back in North Tonawanda Court on March 29th for a follow up and mental health evaluation.

The 14- and 15-year-old will be charged as minors and have probation requirements. If they fail to meet these requirements, their cases will move to family court.

All three students have been suspended from NTHS pending a superintendent meeting.