Blue Mountain High School Student Arrested

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, does see its share of crime. Even acts that are hideous to most humans with the smallest morsel of compassion in them have been seen locally. What we never expected to arrive in our small, coal mining county is a plot to attack a public school with a gun.

Gregory Nason, 17, is charged with attempted murder. Investigators found multiple items in his home that would support the reports that the high school student planned to open fire at his school, Blue Mountain High School.

A search of the home found three guns, with ammunition elsewhere in the home. Investigators also found camouflage gear, backpacks, a sword, a home made silencer, and a gas mask.

Being held on $100,000 bail, the juvenile with attempted homicide, criminal solicitation to commit homicide and two counts of terroristic threats. A bail that is not near enough from my point of view.

Police are unable to release much information at this point. Simply stating the investigation is ongoing. With more information to come out over the next few weeks, parents around the county are sure to be on the edge of their seats.

"This kind of thing doesn't happen here," said one mother I spoke with. She is right. On the other hand, that is what we all said years ago about other types of crime that was happening in 'Big Cities' all over the country. Until 10 years ago, murder in the area was not a concern. Then, what appeared to be out of nowhere, were multiple family murder/suicides, shootings, and even beating deaths.

What happened? What went wrong? What was once a quiet county, unless you were standing outside of a local bar, is now a scary place to live.

More is to come on this breaking story. As investigators make their case, more information is sure to be released. All we can do now is be thankful that the plot was foiled, and hope this juvenile receives some mental treatment, and the deserved punishment after trial.

Thank you to all the students that came forward with this story and helped to stop a likely massacre. It is people like you, and your school principal, that we need watching out for our school students, and our county.