2 charged after making Columbine-like threats

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- Two former Attleboro High School students appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with making threats of a Columbine-style attack on their old high school.

Ryan Ringuette, 20, and Natick Sands, 18, were arrested on Monday after a high school student alerted school officials that the two suspects had posted Columbine-like threats on Facebook.

The two suspects were arraigned in court on Tuesday, where both appeared emotional.

“He wishes -- first thing he said on the phone was, ‘I wish I could go to High School and say sorry,’” said Bernie Ringuette, Ryan’s father.

The prosecution says anger over a female triggered Sands’ rant.

"The Facebook posting started with Mr. Sands saying, ‘People wonder why I talk about random mass killing sprees all the time FED UP,’ the conversation continued with Ryan Ringuette responding to this saying, “It's Columbine all over again,’” said Suzanne Renaud, a prosecutor.

While Ringuette’s mother sobbed in the courtroom, there was a strong police presence at the high school where officials said the students were safe -- though many parents nervously questioned if that was true.

"It does concern me because you just never know," one parent said.

Other alleged postings included Ringuette saying, "We've already got an army, be like A Team, call Mr. T,” to which Sands allegedly responded, “Only if I can take the first shots. First person I’d kill obviously is the school cop and front desk.”

Friends and family were in disbelief as the pair were led away in cuffs.

“They were just two kids saying two stupid things,” one man said.

“It’s obviously very upsetting. Everyone’s very upset right now. He obviously knows what he did is not right and he has a lot of remorse for it," one woman said.

Both suspects were out  on probation for cases involving unrelated charges. 

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