Would-Be Teen Bomber: 'Grim Reaper Is Here'

Grant Acord's journal released; mom says mental illness at play
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 29, 2013 7:38 AM CDT
Would-Be Oregon Bomber: 'Russia Grim Reaper Is Here'
This May 24, 2013 photo provided by Benton County District Attorney’s Office shows Grant Alan Acord.   (AP Photo/Benton County DA)

Grant Acord detailed his alleged plot to blow up his Oregon high school in handwritten journals, and the plans were revealed in an affidavit released yesterday. In one, the 17-year-old envisions arriving at the school with loud music blasting from his car. As he threw a napalm firebomb and then started shooting, he planned to announce, "The Russian grim reaper is here," according to the document. In another, Acord wrote that he would "kill myself before SWAT engages me." There's also a list of "Items I'll Take," which includes not just weapons but things like a hammer and sickle baseball cap and a skull and crossbones belt buckle.

The journals also reportedly compare Acord to the Columbine High School shooters, the Oregonian reports; authorities say Acord printed out pages of information about the weapons they used. Acord's mom, Marianne Fox, says he suffers from Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections or PANDAS, a mental illness. According to an author who had written about PANDAS and had spoken with Fox, she was attempting to find a way to get more expensive treatment for Acord. The teen's former stepdad says Acord was also getting therapy and treatment for OCD. (In a statement, Fox called PANDAS "a rare form of OCD," and the Oregonian notes that quite a bit of controversy surrounds the condition.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X