Mom Who Turned In Son for Allegedly Plotting School Shooting: 'It Wasn't Easy'

A Washington mother says she doesn't regret calling the police on her 17-year-old son, whose journal was allegedly filled with detailed plans about attacking his school on the anniversary of Columbine.

"It takes a lot to do what I did," the mom told CBS News. "It wasn't easy."

The woman asked that only her first name, Nicole, be used. Her son remains in juvenile detention, following his arrest on Sept. 19.

The boy's alleged plans were written in frightening detail, including using pipe bombs and several guns to "blast anyone in sight" and execute "survivors" on April 20, 2020, the 21st anniversary of the Columbine school shooting.

"I know a lot of people that go to College Place High School," she said of her son's school. "Their lives would have been forever changed. It's devastating. I know I did all I can do and that I made the right choice."

But her son's allegedly violent journal entries make her feel "like I've done something wrong," she said.

Local authorities said they were thankful for what she did.

"She's very courageous," said College Place Police Chief Troy Tomaras. "It's clearly very emotional for her. She loves her son."

Nicole said her son tried to explain away his journal by calling it "just a story." She called police anyway.

"Well, he's plotting to attack and kill people," said Tomaras. "That's beyond creative writing. That's beyond normal."

Nicole said her son had been suffering from depression. "I'm worried about his mental health and he needs help," she said. "Truth hurts sometimes."

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