A former Somerset County high school student accused of planning a mass shooting at his graduation waived his hearing and formal arraignment on Wednesday. Now, that suspect, 18-year-old Jacob Deneen, will either head to trial or enter a plea deal.
Deneen was arrested in February after police were tipped off that he was planning an attack at the Shade Junior-Senior High School graduation.
One other juvenile has been charged in connection to the alleged attack.
In court, Deneen waived his preliminary hearing and his formal arraignment. He entered a not guilty plea to all charges against him, including risking a catastrophe and terroristic threats.
WTAJ: “Jacob, why were you planning to shoot your classmates?”
Deneen: “I wasn’t.”
WTAJ: “Then why did you admit to planning an attack?”
Deneen: “I was scared and I was… Nope.”
Scared of what, Deneen wouldn’t say.
WTAJ: “Do you have any message for your classmates now?”
Deneen: “Yes, that I love them.”
Deneen’s grandparents sat with him in court.
“We love our grandson, that’s what we’ll say,” Deneen’s grandfather told WTAJ.
In July, Deneen will either enter a plea deal or go to trial. If Deneen is charged on just one of the felony charges he’s facing, it could mean up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Deneen is being held at the Somerset County Jail. His attorney may request for his bail conditions to be reduced.
