Teens charged in trespassing case were in ‘planning stage of school shooting
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Dec 13 2021 Authorities have provided new details about the investigation into the Westmont Hilltop High School trespassing incident, which they are now calling an alleged school shooting plot.
Investigators say as a result of subsequent search warrants, a total of five AR-15 style firearms, a rifle, a shotgun and additional ammunition were seized from the home of 16-year-old Preston Hinebaugh.
Police also confirmed that they can prove that Hinebaugh had “access and control to at least two of the weapons at different points in time.”
Upper Yoder police chief Don Hess stressed to 6 News that the other teenager being charged, 17-year-old Logan Pringle, was not allowed to be on Westmont school property due to a prior threat in which he “threatened to shoot up the school,” and was expelled from the district.
A criminal affidavit states that Pringle had a past history of threats and “dangerous actions” towards the school district, including lighting a carpet on fire and bringing fireworks to the school in January of 2018, as well as the prior shooting threat.
According to the criminal complaint, Pringle gained access to Westmont Hilltop High School on Tuesday after Hinebaugh let him through the front door of the building, without any staff noticing.
Authorities say surveillance video shows the pair wandering the halls of the school and observing camera locations throughout the building.
Chief Hess noted that all investigating agencies believe that the two teens were in the “planning phase of a school shooting.”
Pringle reportedly told police in an interview that he “didn’t think it would be that easy to get back into the school,” but said that he left the building through a side door near the gymnasium because he thought he would be caught.
Hinebaugh also told police in an interview that Pringle was “obsessed” with guns and had previously made firearm parts while attending a local vocational school.
The two teenagers have been charged as adults with multiple felonies, including Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism, related to an investigation of an unauthorized person gaining access to Westmont Hilltop High School on Tuesday.
Logan J. Pringle, 17, of Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, and Attempt to Commit Aggravated Assault, according to a release from Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer released to Westmont Hilltop parents Saturday morning.
Also, Preston R. Hinebaugh, 16, of Upper Yoder Township has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Trespass, and Possession of Firearm by a Minor, according to Neugebauer’s release.
Both defendants were taken into custody without incident and are currently in the Cambria County Prison awaiting preliminary arraignment, according to the release.
