Teen in alleged Utah plot fascinated by Columbine

(CBS News) 

ROY, Utah - Police say one of two Utah teenagers accused of plotting to set off a bomb at their high school was so fascinated with the Columbine massacre, he traveled there to meet with the school's principal.

Dallin Morgan, 18, and a 16-year-old male were arrested after authorities learned of the plot. Police said the student had planned to attack a school assembly, and then take a plane at a nearby airport to escape.

Utah teens arrested in alleged school bomb plot

Ladd Egan of CBS Affiliate KUTV reports that, according to police, the 16-year-old male suspect flew on his own to Denver, skipping school without permission, all with the intent to learn more about the school shooting massacre.

When interviewed by police, he said, "Those killers only completed one percent of their plan, and I'm much more intelligent than that."

A text message received by another Roy High School student warning about impending violence led to the student contacting authorities.

In the end, school officials are glad a concerned student came forward before the plan could be carried out.

"We commend the student who came forward," said Nate Taggart, spokesman for the Weber Co. School District. "We hope in similar situations the students will have the courage to do the same thing."

The 16-year-old suspect, an only child, was described by classmates as "really smart," although he became more withdrawn after entering high school. "I would expect him to be the next Albert Einstein - not, you know, a bomber," one student said.

Neighbors say they never saw any red flags, or experiments with explosives. ""The family is nice. So I don't know where it came from," said one.

As for Dallin Morgan, classmates said the 18-year-old was a good student taking AP classes.

"Just a shocker in that you would never have expected him to do it," said one girl.

To see the full report on this that aired on "CBS This Morning," click on the video in the player above.