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School Stab-Spree Suspect Alex Hribal Planned to Kill, Cops Say

Newly released court documents say Alex Hribal intended to kill and wrote a sneering note about taking "precious lives."
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The teenage suspect in the Pennsylvania school stabbing told a hero administrator who tackled him that he wouldn't drop the knives because "my work is not done, I have more people to kill," according to newly released court papers.

The chilling detail was disclosed as prosecutors upgraded charges against 16-year-old Alex Hribal to include 21 counts of attempted homicide and revealed in a criminal complaint that the attack may have been planned for days.

After the April 9 rampage that left 20 students and a security guard wounded, police armed with a warrant searched Hribal's locker at Franklin Regional Senior High School and found a sneering note dated April 6.

"I can't wait to see the priceless and helpless looks on the faces of the students of one of the 'best schools in Pennsylvania' realize their precious lives are going to be taken by the only one among them that isn't a plebian," the note read, according to the police.

Authorities have not given a motive for the assault, in which Hribal allegedly ran through a school hallway with two 8-inch kitchen knives, stabbing and slashing schoolmates, apparently at random.

Several students were critically injured, including one boy who narrowly escaped death when the blade just missed his heart. Two students are still in the hospital.

Assistant Principal Sam King told police that he managed to grab Hribal after he stabbed security guard Sgt. John Resetar in the stomach and told him to drop the knives.

"No, I am not dropping them, my work is not done, I have more people to kill," the suspect allegedly said.

Students at Franklin Regional reacted to the new details with shock. One victim, Derek Jones, said Hribal's comments were "a whole new level of disturbing."

His lawyer, Patrick Thomassey, has said his client has no history of mental health problems, has not been in trouble with the law and does not smoke marijuana or drink.

“It’s unexplainable at this point,” Thomassey said two weeks ago, calling for a psychiatric evaluation for Hribal.

The sophomore was initially charged with just four counts of attempted homicide, but authorities have added 17 more counts. Hribal, who is being held without bail in a juvenile facility, even though he was charged as an adult, is due in court Wednesday.

— Tracy Connor

Image: Police tape is seen outside Franklin Regional High School after a series of knife attacks in Murrysville
Police tape is seen outside Franklin Regional High School after a series of knife attacks in Murrysville, Penn. on April 9.SHANNON STAPLETON / Reuters FILE