By Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
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TAMPA — In July, Crime Stoppers got a tip: Someone was planning a mass shooting at Leto High School. It was to occur after school started. A specific day and time had been picked, the tipster said.
Hillsborough County deputies started interviewing potential witnesses and gathering information. The complaint seemed legitimate, so they went to the suspect's house.
They found a gun at Austin James Cook's house at 7220 Creekwood Court in Town 'N Country. They seized the gun and a computer.
On Monday, deputies arrested Cook at his house. He was charged with solicitation to commit murder and threatening to discharge a destructive device.
Police spokeswoman Debbie Carter would not release more details about the plans for the shooting, saying it's still under investigation.
She did say that Cook is not a student at Leto and that the shooting was planned for when school was in session.
