Accused teen's mom says he was bullied at school

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Accused teen's mom says he was bullied at school

Sturtz, two others arrested in alleged plot at East High

By ROBERT IMRIE
The Associated Press September 17, 2006

The mother of one of the teenagers arrested in a foiled Columbine-style plan to bomb and shoot students at Green Bay East High School said Saturday the boys were victims of bullying and harassment at school.

Elizabeth Sturtz, 48, the mother of 17-year-old Shawn Sturtz, said bullies often called her 300-pound son who had a learning disability fat and stupid so she understands how her son could have been angry.

But she said she saw nothing in his past or recent behavior showing he would plot a Columbine-like attack on the school.

"They were pushed to the limit. They couldn't handle it anymore," the mother said Saturday.

Police arrested Sturtz and William Cornell, 17, Thursday and Bradley Netwal, 18, on Friday, for conspiracy to commit homicide and arson. Brown County District Attorney John Zakowski said he planned to file charges for the 17-year-olds Thursday.

Investigators said the teens planned to set off bombs near bathrooms, light exits on fire and shoot people whom they didn't like at the school.

Elizabeth Sturtz said Cornell was 300 pounds as well and both were subject to bullying. She blamed herself for not doing more to help her son.

"I don't know what to do to help him," the mother said. "I ain't going to condemn him for what he did. There is a reason why him and Billy did this. I blame myself because I don't know what I did wrong and what I missed."

She sobbed, "My baby is in jail. I am sorry I didn't catch it sooner."

All three were being held in the Brown County Jail Saturday.

"I'm glad they are in jail and I am not going to their funerals. I am sorry they are there," Elizabeth Sturtz said. "I am grateful for the kid who came forward."

Sturtz and Cornell had long been fascinated by the April 1999 Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colo., in which two students armed with guns, knives and bombs killed 12 classmates and a teacher before killing themselves, Sterr said.

But Sturtz's mother said her son and Cornell didn't become close friends until last year so they could not have plotted for years. She said her son was kicked out of the school last year for bringing a knife because he felt he needed protection and was assigned to an alternative school for the last part of the year. She said she called the principal and social workers to alert them to her son being bullied, but no one ever called back.

"He didn't want to go to school because of the kids and he knew the teachers wouldn't do anything because we tried last year," the mother said, sitting in a wheelchair because of severe arthritis and diabetes.

Green Bay School Superintendent Daniel Nerad said he didn't know the specifics of the teen's situation but said the district has made stopping bullying a priority and has a strong stance against it. He encouraged Sturtz's mother to sit down with school officials to voice her concerns.

The mother said her son liked to watch television and play video games and used to work busing tables at a local ballroom. He had trouble reading, she said.

No one answered the door Saturday at Cornell's home and no address could be found for Netwal.