Kan. teen charged in plot to kill school admins., police

TOPEKA, Kan. – A 17-year-old youth accused of plotting to murder four people at Topeka West High School has been charged following a 40-day investigation, CBS affiliate WIBW reports.

The male teen was arrested Tuesday and is charged with four counts of soliciting murder in the first degree, a level 3 felony.

In a news conference Wednesday, Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor said the accused targeted two police officers and two school administrators connected with the high school, and the suspect was arrested Tuesday night at a facility outside Shawnee County.

Taylor did not know whether the defendant planned to commit the crimes himself or get someone to do it for him, but did confirm that there were no co-conspirators in the plot.

The district attorney said he would not release the name of the accused, but that he intends to prosecute the defendant as an adult.

Taylor also stressed that there is no reason to believe Topeka schools are currently unsafe, though the event has created an increased awareness and security level.