MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 17-year-old Waseca boy is back in court Wednesday, addressing charges that he plotted to kill his family and then stage a Columbine-like attack on his school.
John David LaDue appeared at a 10 a.m. probable cause hearing in Waseca. He was arrested in April after he was spotted acting suspicious outside a self-storage facility. Authorities later found explosive-making material inside.
His apparent plot to deliver bombs and gunfire at his school was foiled by police.
According to the criminal complaint, LaDue told police he planned to “shoot and kill as many students as he could.”
Outside the hearing, LaDue’s father told reporters he never intended to kill anyone. He said his son planned the attack, but he questions if his son was actually going to do it.
His father said officers have not contacted him about the case at all.
“We’re dealing with mourning the loss of my son’s childhood and we have no say in getting him any help or where he’s being held or the conditions he’s being held in or other family members being able to visit him, so it’s very frustrating,” he said. “I have a 17-year-old son whose suddenly been taken away and I have absolutely no say in it.”
He also said the weapons found were his.
“They were on my property so I don’t understand why they didn’t come after me,” he said.
LaDue’s father said he’s very proud of his son but wishes he would’ve come to him for help.
State prosecutors are seeking to try LaDue as an adult on attempted first-degree murder charges. They will have a certification hearing on July 30 to make a decision on that.
