Niel Anders: California man with 29 assault rifles arrested after son threatened to shoot up high school
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Forty five-year-old Neal James Anders was arrested after his 14-year-old son (whose name is not revealed), a student at Rancho Bernardo High School, was accused of threatening to shoot up his school.
Anders, who is a military defense contractor, was arrested after his teen son threatened violence at his California high school citing an arsenal of weapons at his home, including a flame thrower and 29 assault rifles, nine of them unserialized, prosecutors said, as per NY Daily News
What did Neal Anders' son do?
Neal James Anders was arrested after his 14-year-old son, a student at RB High School, was accused of threatening to shoot up his high school, authorities said.
It was disclosed in court by prosecutors that the boy has two siblings in school as well.
"The teen allegedly warned a small group of classmates not go to school on Tuesday, 30th January because he was bringing guns to school,” Deputy District Attorney Roza Egiazarian said during a court hearing on Thursday, February 1.
The teenager was taken into custody after a number of students informed the administration of the threat. After that, authorities obtained a restraining order against the youngster for gun violence at his San Diego residence, which is located a few blocks from the school.
A rocket-propelled grenade, several inactive concussion grenades, 29 assault rifles, ghost guns, ghost-gun parts, flame throwers, armored vests, gas masks, and "countless" documents explaining how to construct more explosives and ghost weapons were discovered during a search of the home.
Neal Anders pleads not guilty to 13 felonies
Police also suspect Anders attempted to hide 3D-printers, potentially used to create ghost gun parts, before their arrival, NBC 7 reported.
He was arrested and has pleaded not guilty to 13 felonies, including including possession of an assault weapon.
Gregory Garrison, Anders' defense lawyer, claimed that all of the guns his client possessed were locked up, but the prosecution refuted this claim, citing witnesses who overheard the teenager saying the lock had been broken.
"This is obviously concerning, given the sheer quantity of weapons, illegal and legal, in the possession of one individual,” he added.
Anders remained behind bars on Friday, February 2 in lieu of $300,00 bail. His son was also jailed in juvenile detention, though it’s unclear what charges he will face.
