Sumter and Lake County Sheriff's Deputies arrested two teens Thursday for conspiring to commit a mass shooting at their school.
- Teens are students at The Villages Charter Middle School
- School Resource Officer learned of rumors regarding planned shooting
- 13-year-old student admitted to conversations involving plot to authorities
Officials said the teens -- 13 and 14 -- are students at The Villages Charter Middle School. School officials and the School Resource Officer reportedly became aware of the plot when they heard rumors among other students.
The rumors indicated that a student was planning a mass shooting on Friday, January 27. Witnesses told authorities that some students had been warned not to come to school that day.
On January 25, deputies caught up with the student alleged to be planning the attack. The 13 year old, who has not been named, at the time acknowledged having conversations involving the plot. The student also referenced the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School.
During the interview, deputies learned of the potential involvement of a second student in the plot. That student -- a 14 year old -- also acknowledged the conversations referencing Columbine.
No weapons were found on either of the two students at the time.
The teens were arrested Thursday when deputies served search warrants at their homes. The 13 year old was arrested by Lake County deputies at his home in Fruitland Park. The 14 year old, meanwhile, was arrested by Sumter deputies at his home in Wildwood.
Both teens were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and placed in custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Weapons were recovered from both suspects' homes.
Officials said the county planned to increase deputy presence at The Villages Charter Middle School on Friday, but no additional arrests were anticipated.