Pack of armed third graders planned to kill teacher

Nine third graders from Waycross Georgia have been suspended after having been accused of brining weapons including a steak knife, a paperweight, handcuffs, gloves and several rolls of tape. The 8- and 9-year-olds have been accused of being involved in a plan to harm a teacher, but some parents said the plot was much worse. Channel 4 received several e-mails from parents who claimed the students wanted to kill their teacher.

Waycross Police Chief Tony Tanner on Tuesday released pictures of the evidence, which included the makeshift pack of weapons.

According to Tanner, the motive for the plot might have been to get revenge on a teacher after she disciplined a girl in her classroom for standing on a chair.

Authorities got word of the alleged plot at Center Elementary School on Friday when another student reported seeing the knife in the possession of another child.

“I have not heard that word used. The principal says they were planning to harm their teacher,” said Theresa Martin, of Ware County Schools.

Investigators confirmed the students brought a steak knife, a roll of duct tape, handcuffs, ribbon and a heavy crystal paperweight to school.

Licensed mental health counselor Audrey Dearborn called the allegations against the third-graders alarming.

Dearborn said a lot of kids view school as an environment where they have to fight to succeed and be treated fairly, but Dearborn said kids need to be taught that the word fight should not be taken literally.

Article from Jacksonville News