‘No tip or information is too small,’ police chief says of State High investigation
The State College Borough Council received a short update Monday on a thwarted attack planned for State High, which has plagued the community in “shock and fear” since it was revealed over the weekend.
John Gardner, chief of the State College Police Department, said the investigation is ongoing. Braeden Phillips, a 20-year-old man living in Milroy who previously lived in State College, was arrested Friday on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and for carrying a handgun without a license.
According to the criminal complaint, Phillips planned to execute a school shooting around 8:40 a.m. on Monday, April 21, a day after the 26th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre. The event was thought to take place near the high school’s main staircase with “bombs” placed inside bathrooms, according to the criminal complaint.
Phillips’ preliminary hearing has been rescheduled to April 30 after initially being scheduled for Wednesday.
According to the criminal complaint, an unnamed juvenile was also potentially involved, but law enforcement officials have only said that the investigation is ongoing.
The department has received many questions and concerns regarding other possible participants, as well as a created “hit list,” Gardner told the council.
“All those things are being investigated and run down. I can’t go into details there, but we’re well aware of all the stories that are out there and individuals that may or may not be linked to that or there may be a nexus to this case. We continue to follow up on the tips and information as they are received,” Gardner said. “No tip or information is too small that we’re not going to follow up on it.”
State College Area School District declined to comment on potential other participants involved and whether students have been disciplined related to the investigation. In an email to district families and employees, Superintendent Curtis Johnson said investigations are in progress as police follow tips from community members.
Witnesses told the police there was a “hit list” identifying individuals to be attacked or killed. Gardner said in consultation with the Centre County district attorney, they’re not able to talk about it, but said if the department learns of anyone who is at potential risk, they’ll notify them of the threat and will create a safety plan with them.
He also stressed that the attack was specific to State High, and no other district school or school in Centre County are impacted. There is no substantiated information about a continuing threat at the high school regarding this incident, Gardner said.
On Monday and Tuesday, State High implemented enhanced police presence and security measures “out of caution.” Students had to pass through metal detectors at each entrance and had their bags inspected. Delta Program students were checked over with metal detector wands, and police provided additional security through the high school campus and throughout the district.
The metal detectors caused significant delays but no significant issues, according to district officials. Johnson said Tuesday that State High and Delta will continue using metal detectors through at least April 21 out of precaution.
Council president Evan Myers and State College Mayor Ezra Nanes applauded the police department for their work.
“My daughter’s in ninth grade, so, like many families with their kids in State High, in middle school, any school in the area, it was a very hard day to see your child go off to school,” Nanes said. “I just wanted to acknowledge the pain that everybody’s feeling, and again, express my gratitude for the professionalism of our police, because it saved lives, and that means a lot.”
The police department encourages anyone with information regarding the matter to report it immediately. People can contact the State College Police Department at 814-234-7150, by email, police@statecollegepa.us, or submit an anonymous tip through its website.
“Nothing is too small to report. It could mean a matter of life and death,” Gardner said.
This story was originally published April 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM.
