Ontario student accused of planning school shooting may get plea deal – NBC Los Angeles

A high school student arrested on suspicion of planning a shooting at his Ontario school could reach a plea deal, his lawyer says.

Sebastian Villasenor's attorney said he has negotiated a settlement with the prosecutor and expects that deal to be finalized during next week's court appearance. He did not provide details, but the case raises eyebrows because unlike other school shootings, this one never happened.

Villasenor, 18, is accused of planning a shooting at Ontario Christian High School. The alleged plan came to light after a peer raised concerns with authorities because of the defendant's interest in school shootings. He was arrested in February.

“He researched tactical supplies and was in the process of choosing a specific date to carry out the school shooting,” Ontario police said at a news conference after Villasenor's arrest . “He Googled the response time of the police department to the school.”

Legal analyst Royal Oaks said this case is a wild card since no violence was committed.

“This case is very unusual in that there is an allegation of attempted murder but there was no shooting,” Oaks said. “Yes, he bought seven rifles and two revolvers. Yes, he planned to target six individuals at the school, but that's not the same as attempted murder. The case is therefore strange.

In a statement, Villasenor's attorney said the 18-year-old should not be charged with attempted murder.

“We have always maintained Sebastian's total and complete innocence of the attempted murder charges and the assertion that he 'plotted or planned' a school shooting,” said Villasenor's attorney, Daniel Deilmon, in a press release. “In our view, the evidence in this case has never supported these allegations. The proposed plea deal appears to reflect the idea that these allegations could never be proven in a criminal trial. Sebastian and his family are eager to put this legal nightmare behind them and hope that he can find a way to move forward with his life in a positive direction after this event. »

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said it is in contact with the families of those allegedly targeted by the defendant.

Villasenor is scheduled to return to court on May 30.