School stabbing suspect may have threatened classmates

NEW YORK -- Detectives suspect that a 16-year-old boy made threatening phone calls to two classmates before going on a stabbing rampage at his Pennsylvania high school, according to investigative documents released Monday.

Four students at Franklin Regional Senior High School in Murrysville, Pa., remained in critical condition as investigators and the suspect’s lawyer tried to determine what could have made the accused attacker snap last Wednesday.

Alex Hribal, a Franklin sophomore, has been charged as an adult with attempted homicide and aggravated assault. His attorney, Patrick Thomassey, is hoping to have the teen’s case moved to juvenile court.

According to details of the search warrant served on Hribal’s home in Murrysville, about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh, police seized two computers, more than 30 video games, and a wooden cutlery holder with two knives missing.

The games taken from the home included “Call of Duty 2,” “Medal of Honor” and more than 30 others whose names were not provided in the police papers.

In addition, a piece of notebook paper with writing by Alex Hribal was taken from the house, the document said. It did not say what was written on the paper.

An affidavit also said that two students, whose names were not given, “received threatening messages and ... calls from someone who is believed to be” Hribal. “Caller said that he was going to [blank] them up,” the affidavit said.

It said investigators believed the calls came from Hribal “because of the subsequent conduct of [the suspect] coming to school and attacking numerous individuals.”

Thomassey did not respond to a request for comment, but according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper, Thomassey said he did not know of the phone calls and did not know where they came from.

“I don’t know of him having any conversations with anybody,” the night before the stabbings, Thomassey said, according to the Post-Gazette.

At least 19 teenagers suffered stab or puncture wounds in the attack. Hribal is accused of using two 8-inch stainless steel knives, slashing and stabbing at people in the school hallway shortly before classes were to begin.

He was arrested after being tackled by a school security guard and a school vice principal.

Some classmates have said that Hribal, who has been described as quiet and shy, was bullied. Others say he was not. Those who recalled some bullying said Hribal appeared to ignore it.

Thomassey said he did not see indications of serious bullying of his client at the high school, which has a student body of about 1,200. It is expected to reopen on Wednesday.