Man Allegedly Plotted School Attack for Day Following Columbine Anniversary

A Pennsylvania man allegedly targeted State College High School for a mass shooting on the day after Columbine anniversary, complete with a hit list and homemade bombs, but alert citizens and law enforcement thwarted the deadly plan before it could be executed.

Quick Takes

Braeden Phillips, 20, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder after allegedly planning a school shooting at State College High School.
The attack was reportedly scheduled for April 21, one day after the Columbine massacre anniversary, as April 20 fell on a Sunday this year.
Authorities uncovered plans for a methodical attack including a “hit list” and homemade explosives to be placed in school bathrooms.
The suspect is being held without bond after being deemed an “extreme danger to the community” by local authorities.

Plot Details Reveal Methodical Planning

Braeden Phillips, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man, has been arrested after allegedly plotting a mass shooting at State College High School. According to police reports, Phillips had created a detailed plan that included targeting a high-traffic area near the school’s main staircase around 8:40 a.m. The suspect reportedly compiled a “hit list” and intended to place homemade bombs in school bathrooms, demonstrating a disturbing level of premeditation that has alarmed authorities and the community alike.

The attack was reportedly originally planned for April 20 – the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre that claimed 13 lives – but was rescheduled to April 21 because the anniversary fell on a Sunday this year. This connection to one of America’s most notorious school shootings has raised serious concerns about potential copycat violence and the continued cultural impact of the Columbine tragedy nearly 25 years later.

Pennsylvania school shooting was planned for Columbine anniversary, police say https://t.co/ku8YRPEpko

— WRTV Indianapolis (@wrtv) April 13, 2025

Swift Action By Law Enforcement

Phillips has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. A judge ordered him held without bond at the Centre County Correctional Facility after determining he presents an “extreme danger to the community.” A search warrant was executed at Phillips’ home on April 11, though authorities have not publicly disclosed what evidence was recovered during this search. The suspect was scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on Wednesday.

Investigators are currently working to determine if others may have been involved in planning the attack. A juvenile friend of Phillips has been identified as a potential person of interest. The investigation began after authorities received information from both a concerned citizen and reports from a Centre County youth center, demonstrating the critical importance of community vigilance in preventing potential tragedies.

School Response and Community Impact

The State College Area School District has confirmed that classes will continue as normal following the thwarted threat. District officials have expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their rapid response to the potential danger. Superintendent Curtis Johnson issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the district’s relationship with local authorities in maintaining a safe educational environment.

According to information gathered during the investigation, Phillips harbored grievances against State College High School, claiming through friends that “the school did not serve his educational needs and failed him.” This personal grievance appears to have fueled his alleged violent intentions, though authorities continue to investigate his background and motives. The police department has encouraged anyone with additional information to contact them as the investigation proceeds.

As the legal proceedings against Phillips begin, the State College community faces the difficult task of processing the narrowly avoided tragedy. The case serves as a sobering reminder that the threat of school violence remains present in communities of all sizes, requiring continuous vigilance, robust security measures, and strong relationships between schools and law enforcement to ensure student safety.