Tampa school plot foiled
Jared Cano (R) is led out of the courtroom after appearing before judge Tracy Sheehan in the Hillsborough County, Florida Courthouse Annex August 17, 2011. Florida police on Wednesday said they had uncovered a plot by the 17-year-old Cano to attack and cause mass casualties at his former school, Freedom High School, in Orlando after arresting him and discovering bomb-making material at his home. Reuters/Cherie Diez-St. Peters

Tampa high school principal Chris Farkas said Wednesday that threats are common among large schools but most aren't credible. According to the San Francisco Examiner, Farkas said that "fear set in" after an expelled student was arrested for devising a plan to blow up Freedom High School.

Tampa law enforcement officials took a 17-year-old male into custody after they discovered that the boy was planning an attack on a local high school, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said Wednesday. Suspect Jared Cano's mother consented to a police search 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Castor added.

Police reported that they discovered explosive materials and a manifesto with a minute-by-minute plan to attack Freedom High School in the boy's home. According to ABC News, Castor said that the suspect wanted to kill approximately 30 students and two administrators. The names of the administrators have not been released.

Police said that they found materials used to make pipe bombs, including a source of fuel, plastic tubing, and shrapnel.

A journal with drawings of the school's room and perverse statements related to death was also found, police said.

The boy has been charged with possession of bomb-making materials, cultivating marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and threatening to throw, project, place or discharge a destructive device.

Police were given a tip but the individual's name has not been released, Castor said. Castor also said that the boy appeared to be the only person involved in the planning.

According to Castor, extra police will be present for the opening of Tampa public schools next week.

Tampa Police called the plan "catastrophic."

California