Prosecution Wants to Try N.J. Teens as Adults

OAKLYN, N.J. – The New Jersey county in which three teens allegedly attempted to carry out a deadly, Columbine-style attack wants to try the youths as adults.

Matthew Lovett, 18, and two other teens, aged 14 and 15, were plotting to kill three school enemies, then go after other victims at random, Camden County prosecutor Vincent Sarubbi (search) said.

The teens were charged Sunday with weapons offenses, attempted carjacking and conspiracy to commit murder.

Bail for Lovett was set at $1 million.

Armed with rifles, a shotgun, several handguns, swords and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, the teens were in front of Oaklyn Public School (search) when Mathew Rich drove by.

Rich, 34, was on his way to his job at the Philadelphia International Airport when he slowed to let three young men cross the street. He said one of them pulled out a gun.

It was then that Rich stepped on the gas of his Ford Focus and summoned authorities. Officer Charles Antrilli responded and arrested the three.

The teens were dressed in black from head to toe, prosecutors told Fox News.

Lovett, according to police, was the ringleader and had been plotting the attack for months.

Authorities did not release the names of the two other boys.

Lovett, who lives in Oaklyn, was also charged with aggravated assault, which stemmed from the teen pointing a gun at Antrilli, Sarubbi said.

Authorities seized two rifles, a shotgun, two handguns, two swords, several knives and the ammunition. Additional weapons were found at Lovett's residence. Sarubbi said the weapons belonged to Lovett's father and were lawfully permitted.

Lovett's father, Ron Lovett, told Fox News his son's arrest is "a total shock."

"Matt just graduated high school a few weeks ago. He had four As. Never in trouble at school, never in trouble in town with the law. He was a shy kid. You know, he did have socializing problems, but he was a good boy."

Asked if he believes his son had planned a Columbine-like attack, Lovett said "I don't know."

"He never fired a gun or loaded one in his life. I think somehow they were acting out a fantasy, a game and didn't realize the severity or reality of it all," he said.

Lovett also said he believes "video games and the Internet has played a lot in this," and said police confiscated four computers.

Lovett, who said he's "been busy trying to be a single parent" since his son's mother passed away nine years ago, said all of the found firearms were his.

"I never owned a sword. Throughout my life I collected guns. When Matt was born I locked the pistols away, but most of the ammunition is 20 to 30 years old."

Lovett said his son planned to hang out at home over the July Fourth weekend.

"We took our younger son down to the shore and I told Matt I loved him, kissed him, said 'will you be all right?'" I gave him some money -- he said he was going to get a pizza and have a friend come over and rent a video."

He added, "Thank God for the Oaklyn police."

Sarubbi said three people believed to be intended victims were notified Sunday of the plot. He declined to identify them, but a news release from Oaklyn Police Chief Chris Ferrari indicated they were school students.

WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reported that Lovett left his father a rambling note outlining his motives and the plot. In part, the station reported, it read, "My original plan was to kill you all."

Lovett's former classmate told Fox News Matt Lovett was picked on a lot at school.

Several teens in Oaklyn described Lovett as an angry young man who drew violent pictures, practiced martial arts and kept a list of his enemies since elementary school.

One teen who said he lived a few doors from Lovett said he was not personally afraid after hearing of the alleged plot.

"They would only do it to people who would make fun of them," said Joe DiLorenzo, 15.

Lovett's uncle, Tom Crymes, said a lot of attention in Matt's family had to go to Matt's brother, who has a cleft palette. He also said Matt spent a lot of time alone in his room on the Internet, and "needs counseling."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.