Police in Waseca, MN thwarted a massive attack on a local high school by 17-year-old
student, John David LaDue. According to reports, LaDue planned to first kill his family with a .22 caliber rifle. He then intended to use Molotov cocktails and pressure cooker explosives to attack the school’s cafeteria during lunch, opening fire on any survivors. LaDue was prepared to confront SWAT teams and face a potential shootout. He has been charged with four counts of attempted murder in the first degree, six counts of possession of an explosive or incendiary device and two counts of attempted criminal damage to property in the first degree. He is due in court on May 12.
The investigation began on Tuesday when a neighbor alerted authorities to LaDue’s suspicious behavior at a storage unit. The search revealed a pressure cooker, pyrotechnic chemicals, steel ball bearings and gun powder. At his home, police also found seven firearms, ammunition, three functional explosive devices and a 180 page document detailing the plot. The attack was initially planned to coincide with the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine massacre on April 20, but LaDue decided against it as Easter fell on the date and school was not in session. Rather, police believe he intended to conduct the attack within the next two weeks. LaDue reportedly had an infatuation with school shootings, namely Columbine and Sandy Hook, but often criticized them by claiming he could carry out a much larger attack.
Key Points
• Police were investigating the discovery of three small explosive devices at a local elementary school playground in late March. LaDue is now taking responsibility, claiming he used the location to practice setting off bombs.
• While searching LaDue’s home, police also found black clothing and a ski mask. This is in line with the trend of active shooters wearing combat-style clothing during attacks.
• LaDue planned to set fire to a field prior to going to the school, which was meant as a diversionary tactic to distract authorities and first responders.
MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation closely and has identified the following implications:
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Individuals who plan to carry out active shooter attacks are often inspired by the Columbine massacre, which is one of the most notorious school shootings in recent history.
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LaDue appears to have studied the shooting, as well as those at Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook, to seek ways to top their attacks.
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This showcases a desire by some active shooters to “up the ante” by seeking ways to achieve maximum casualties.
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For this reason, a trend may be emerging in which explosives in conjunction with firearms is a preferred method of attack.
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There are often opportunities during the pre-operational stages of an attack to step in and mitigate against hostile activity.
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In this case, LaDue’s neighbor helped thwart the plot by reporting suspicious behavior to police.
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It currently remains unclear how LaDue was able to compile his weapons cache, though the items for the explosive devices are easily accessible materials.
MSA Security's Research and Intelligence Analysis Group provides real-time intelligence on events and worldwide threats as they evolve.
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