Montana News

Lolo teen admits making school shooting threat

Posted: Dec 28, 2012 9:09 AM by Irina Cates - MTN News

MISSOULA - A Lolo teen admitted to threatening to open fire at his cousin's school in Gillette, Wyoming, but he told the judge it was a joke.

Eric Wengren, 19, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in Justice Court in Missoula on Thursday afternoon.

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office reports that Wengren made the threats during Facebook and email conversations with his cousin and several others.

The Gillette, Wyoming Police Department found out and asked Missoula detectives for help.

Investigators tracked down and interviewed Wengren at his home.

Wengren told Judge Karen Orzech, "On Facebook my cousin posted something about a school shooting, saying something like, 'You're stupid if you think it will happen at you school,' or whatever. And I said, 'Yeah, you're right.' And I said, jokingly, that I'm going to come shoot up your school."

Wengren told Orzech that this was a "terrible choice of words."

Prosecutors told the judge they're probably going to ask for jail time at his sentencing, but they want to visit with his parents about the best way to get Wengren some help.

Wengren's sentencing is set for January 9.