The three killed 16-year-old student by beating him in the face with a club and brick. They were concerned he might intervene in an attack they planned on the school.

The three planned to take over the school and to be on the national news. Their plan included breaking into the homes of faculty members and steal hunting rifles. They were then going to seize control of the school and hold it until police arrived or until they had a standoff with authorities.

The plan went awry with the students couldn't get their hands on any weapons.