2 Florida 5th-graders accused of plotting to kill classmate

TALLAHASSEE — Two Florida fifth-graders are accused of plotting to kill an 11-year-old classmate and escape in a golf cart last month.

The plot unraveled Dec. 14 at Roberts Elementary School in Tallahassee, where the alleged victim and the accused students, ages 10 and 11, all attend school. A 32-page police report obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat details the plot, which resulted in both students' suspension and civil citations for conspiracy to commit battery and bringing weapons on school grounds.

The students are also being recommended for expulsion, the Democrat reported.

"This obviously is a very serious matter," Leon County Superintendent Rocky Hanna said in a statement. "There is zero tolerance in our school system for violence or threats of violence. The individuals who participate in these types of behavior will suffer severe consequences, as (will) these two young boys."

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The school's principal, Kim McFarland, told investigators that the boys "planned and put into effect" a plot to kill their classmate, the Democrat reported.

According to the timeline laid out in the police report, one of the accused boys threatened the victim Dec. 10, telling him they would kill him. A few days later, a female classmate told the victim a secret and then went to the two suspected plotters and claimed the victim was spreading rumors about her.

The plotters again threatened the boy, saying they would "take care of him and kill him," the Democrat reported.

Another student later told police investigators the boys drew a map of where on campus they would take the victim -- an area without security cameras, the newspaper reported. They ultimately changed their mind and planned to take the boy to the school’s garden instead, the police report said.

The day of the planned attack, one of the boys brought a backpack to school with what investigators believe was a murder kit: a wrench, adjustable clamp pliers, a multitool with a 3-inch blade on it and baseball batting gloves. According to police, the student showed the tools to classmates and one of the pair told them "snitches get stitches."

They also told at least one classmate they had the gloves so they would not leave fingerprints, the Democrat reported. They planned to use some of the tools to bust through a gate and flee on a golf cart.

During an after-school program on campus, the boys approached the alleged victim and asked if he wanted to go to the "secret hideout in the garden," the police report said. He told investigators he refused because other students had told him the boys wanted to hurt him.

The alleged victim went to a teacher supervising the after-school program and told what the boys had planned, the newspaper reported. The boys were taken to the principal, who searched the backpack and found the tools, including the knife.

The boys denied wanting to kill the victim, but admitted they planned to beat him up, the Democrat reported.

After the incident, McFarland sent parents an email, which was obtained by WCTV in Tallahassee.

"Last Friday there was an incident, with alleged intent to harm a fellow student, that occurred in the afterschool program with a group of 5th grade students who had been developing a plan over a series of days," McFarland said. "Some of you have reached out with concerns and questions. At this time, I cannot share details, but I can assure that your children are safe and the situation is being handled."

McFarland wrote that she met with the school’s fifth graders to discuss the importance of “see something, say something.”

"Many fifth grade students knew of the potential incident but did not tell teachers or their parents," the principal said. "We discussed the importance of alerting adults when there is any concern for safety for themselves or their fellow students. Please discuss this with your children. It is imperative they learn this valuable skill now."