6 Alaska Students Held in Alleged Plot To Attack School

FAIRBANKS, Alaska, April 22 -- Six middle school students in a small Alaska town were arrested Saturday on suspicion of plotting to bring guns and knives to school and kill fellow students.

The arrests stem from an investigation into rumors reported to police earlier in the week about the students' plans in North Pole, a town of 1,600 people about 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks, said Police Chief Paul Lindhag.

Revenge for being picked on by other students and dislike of the school staff motivated the unidentified students, Lindhag said.

They had planned to disable North Pole Middle School's power and telephone systems, allotting time to kill their victims and escape.

Authorities said the students could face charges of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder.