Trib editorial: A tutorial in preventing a school catastrophe

The best deterrent against school violence that money can't buy thwarted a potential catastrophe at a Fayette County high school. And that experience provides a reminder to schools throughout the region that there is simply no substitute for unobstructed channels of communication among students, parents and school staff.

Fayette authorities say a 14-year-old Uniontown Area High School freshman threatened to kill four classmates — and had the weapons to do so: an arsenal of guns including a semi-automatic rifle and bulk ammunition, along with two machetes and a crossbow.

Whatever plans the suspect had unraveled after a tip from a fellow student, who overheard — and had the presence of mind to record — the suspect making threats against the classmates and a relative during an afternoon school bus ride. The student's parents called the district.

The parent and the child “are the real heroes here,” said Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower.

No less frightening than the suspect's cache of weapons, however, was his mind-set toward his intended victims: For no other reason, he “just didn't like them,” according to the recording.

Even if the suspect didn't have the alleged guns, determination can be a deadly weapon, as witnessed nearly four years ago when Alex Hribal took two kitchen knives and went on a stabbing rampage at Franklin Regional High School.

No school metal detector can expose an unhinged mind. But the combination of students who are encouraged to speak up, parents who listen and a district that acts can very well prevent a catastrophe.