Do the Right Thing

In September 2006, Matt Atkinson’s three friends told him they were plotting a Columbine-style attack on their school. They would ignite bombs near bathrooms, set fire to exits, then shoot any of the fifteen hundred students and staff they didn’t like.

Atkinson was torn. Though his friends’ threats sounded serious, he wasn’t certain they were genuine. Could he risk getting his friends into major trouble over what might turn out to be a joke? That night he talked to his mother.

The following morning — one day before his friends had scheduled their attack — Atkinson followed his mother’s advice and talked to the school’s assistant principal. Law enforcement officials immediately intervened. After taking the three would-be attackers into custody, police searched their homes. They found shocking confirmation of the intended assault: suicide notes, a large cache of weapons, ammunition, camouflage clothing, helmets, and gas masks.

When news of the foiled attack became public, Atkinson was lauded as a hero. “Do the right thing,” he said, downplaying the incident. “That’s all I can say: do the right thing. There’s no harm in telling somebody about it. I didn’t do it for fame. I had fear for the life of my fellow students and staff at East High School.”

Atkinson did the right thing because he had a proper view of the consequences of his inaction — not just for his fellow students, but also for the attackers and himself. “If it wasn’t true,” he said, “at least they’d get the help they needed. If I didn’t go, and they were serious, I couldn’t live with that on my conscience.”

 — Hugh Poland, “Courageous Student Prevents School Shooting,” PreachingToday.com; source: “Student Talks of Breaking Up Bomb Plot,” MSNBC.com (September 21, 2006)