Tampa student arrested in school bomb plot

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Police say they have thwarted a student’s “catastrophic” plot to blow up a school on the first day of classes.

Police Chief Jane Castor says Jared Cano, a 17-year-old expelled student, had threatened to plant a device at Freedom High School.

On Tuesday evening, police found a journal and materials to make pipe bombs, including a fuel source, shrapnel, plastic tubing and timing and fusing devices.

Officials say the journal contained schematic drawings of rooms inside the school and disturbing statements about his intent to kill.

They also found a marijuana growing operation.

He faces felony charges of possessing bomb-making materials, cultivating marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possessing of marijuana and threatening to throw, project, place or discharge a destructive device.