If it weren't for an attentive teacher, the headlines might be different.
Larry Gierer of the Ledger Enquirer reports that Derek Shrout, 17, of Russel County, Ala., allegedly planned to detonate homemade explosives in his public school, targeting at least six students and a teacher.
The jig was up though when one of Shrout's teachers reportedly found a student journal left in class. Inside were what she thought to be "terroristic threats." The teacher contacted authorities, including local County Sheriff Heath Taylor.
From the Ledger:
A search of Shrout's home Friday found about a couple dozen small tobacco cans and two large cans, all with holes drilled in them and containing pellets. He said other ingredients to complete the small bombs -- such as black powder, butane and fuses -- were not found.
Taylor said the devices were just "a step or two away from being ready to explode."
Inside the journal were plans and the names of specific targets.
Shrout's bust comes just days after the report of a bizarre Vermont teacher who uploaded several strange videos to YouTube criticizing the school administration and local unions. He also allegedly fired off a few furious emails promising to "remove the union and all of the teachers who are negatively affecting the children."
Neighbors noticed the teacher, identified as Steven Davis, allegedly stowing his Bushmaster 'military style' rifle in his car and notified police. When police arrived, Davis turned over his rifle and several 30-round magazines.
These two key busts come not even a month after the brutal Sandy Hook school shootings that left 27 dead and 6 injured.
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