Fifth-Graders Murder Plot Diverted by Classmates in Washington

Shocking news of two fifth graders plotting to murder a fellow student and others made headlines as details emerged Thursday.

The two boys are students of Fort Colville Elementary School and allegedly plotted to kill a girl in their class and intended to harm other students as well, according to court documents released Wednesday.

The pair had stolen a semi-automatic gun, an ammunition clip and a knife to use in their plan. They were arrested and taken into custody February 7 after authorities discovered the weapons in one of the boy's backpack.

The boys are expected to be charged in juvenile court with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, possession of a firearm and witness tampering for allegedly bringing a stolen gun and a knife to school and threatening to kill a number of classmates.

"These young men conspired to kill," said Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen. "It was interrupted by the bravery of a fourth grader who saw something and said something ... and interrupted a murder."

Colville School District Superintendent Michael Cashion said the plot was discovered before school started Thursday.

"We've been told that the boys had a plan to kill an ex-girlfriend ... and harm other students," Cashion said. "There was no list, but names were given to the police."

"I can't get my mind around it," he said.

The judge set a hearing for February 20 to discover whether the boys had the capacity to form criminal intent, according to Deputy Stevens County Prosecutor Lech Radzimski.