Franklin Regional Suspect Now Facing 21 Counts Of Attempted Homicide
MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) – Investigators have released more details into why a Franklin Regional High School student allegedly went on a stabbing spree earlier this month.
According to court documents, Vice Principal Samuel King, overheard 16-year-old Alex Hribal say, "No, I am not dropping them [the knives], my work is not done. I have more people to kill," after he was detained by a school security guard.
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:
PDF: View the entire court document
This new information has led police to upgrade Hribal's charges. He is now facing 21 counts of attempted criminal homicide, in addition to charges of aggravated assault and bringing a weapon on school property.
He is charged as a adult.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:
Investigators say they also found a signed note in his locker from April 6, 2014, that indicates that he planned to kill his fellow students.
It read: "I can't wait to see the priceless and helpless looks on the faces of the students of one of the 'best schools in Pennsylvania' realize their precious lives are going to be taken by the only one among them that is a plebeian."
This information falls in line with what investigators had already suspected, that Hribal may have targeted specific students.
Earlier this month, investigators were looking into the claim students at Franklin Regional High School received threatening phone messages from someone who was believed to be Hribal.
Listen to KDKA Radio's Bill Rehkopf interview Murrysville Police Chief Tom Seefeld on today's developments:
Chief Tom Seefeld On New Charges In FR Stabbings
The FBI is also investigating an incident the night before the stabbing, where it's now believed Hribal called someone saying he would "(expletive) them up."
But Hribal's lawyer, Pat Thomassey, feels adding the 21 new counts of attempted homicide when some of the injuries were not very severe is a little like piling on.
Thomassey says he's very sympathetic to the victims, but he doesn't think every injury rises to a charge of attempted murder.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:
He also disagrees with the police assessment that bullying did not play a role in the attacks.
"It really strikes, to me, to the heart of the matter. What was going on in that school? The case is about 16- or 17-days-old now, and I have done a complete turn in my own mind about what caused this," said Thomassey. "I'm getting to the point where I think there were a lot of things going on in that school that might have been ignored by different people."
Thomassey met with Hribal earlier Friday, telling him about the upgraded charges.
"I think there's a lot of people who know a lot of things about what goes on in that school and what was going on in that school," Thomassey added. "They're sort of saying something like this sooner or later was going to happen. Maybe not to this extent and as serious as this is, but I think there's some issues at the school, I really do."
Nearly two-dozen people were injured during Hribal's stabbing spree. Most have been treated and released from area hospitals.
Hribal remains in a juvenile detention center in Westmoreland County. He's being held without bond.
A preliminary hearing for Hribal is scheduled next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Franklin Regional community members say they know this new information is difficult to hear, but added that there is support for Hribal's family from many.
KDKA's Christine D'Antonio Reports:
"His family didn't know that and his friends didn't know that, and so there's a big question mark on how that can happen," said community member Beth McCormick.
Derek Jones, who was one of Hribal's victims, tweeted a message Friday in the wake of the new charges.
It said: "This has gone to a whole new level of disturbing, the fact he wanted us dead… Whatever I am still here and I am not leaving anytime soon."
RELATED LINKS
Franklin Regional Stabbing Victim Back Home, Focusing On Recovery & Prom (4/24/14)
Court Documents Reveal Items Seized From Stabbing Suspect's Locker (4/23/14)
More on the Franklin Regional Stabbings
More Reports by Ross Guidotti
Join The Conversation, Like KDKA On Facebook
Follow KDKA On Twitter
