ONTARIO, Calif. – Parents in California are expressing outrage and disbelief over a plea deal offered to 18-year-old Sebastian Villaseñor, who is accused of planning a mass shooting at Ontario Christian High School. This proposed plea deal, which would allow Villaseñor to avoid jail time, has left many questioning the priorities of the justice system.
“This isn’t about politics or being tough on crime; it’s about public safety and the safety of our children,” said a concerned father of a high school student. The sentiment resonates with many parents who fear for their children’s safety in the wake of such allegations.
In February, a tip led to the arrest of Villaseñor. Ontario Police reported that the teen admitted to planning an attack on students at his school. “When we arrested Villaseñor at his residence, we collected numerous weapons: seven rifles, two revolvers, one handgun, and one shotgun. We also seized over a thousand rounds of ammunition,” stated Ontario Chief of Police Mike Lorenz.
The investigation revealed that Villaseñor allegedly had an obsession with school shootings and was plotting a massacre on the 25th Anniversary of the Columbine shooting. Detectives found disturbing online searches on his computer. “There were over 4,000 searches. He was searching for things like how to rip out a human being’s throat with his bare hands, how much pressure that physically took, what kind of bullets will pierce police officers’ vests when they get here, and how long it would take for the police to respond to a school shooting,” explained Bobby, a parent whose daughter was allegedly one of the intended victims.
Villaseñor was charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of attempted criminal threats. He pled not guilty to these charges. Now, parents are reeling from the news that the San Bernardino district attorney has proposed a plea deal that includes no prison time, three years of felony probation, and an order for Villaseñor to stay away from Ontario Christian High School and the intended victims.
Villasenor’s attorney, Daniel DeLimon, issued a statement defending his client. “We have always maintained Sebastian’s total and complete innocence to the attempted murder charges and the claim he allegedly ‘plotted or planned’ a school shooting. In our view, the evidence in this case has never supported those allegations. The proposed plea agreement seems to reflect an understanding that those allegations could never be proven in a criminal trial. Sebastian and his family are eager to put this legal nightmare behind them and hope he can find a way to move forward with his life in a positive direction after this event.”
The plea deal is scheduled to be heard at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse. Parents and community members are expected to attend, voicing their concerns and demanding justice. The case has sparked a broader conversation about the adequacy of the legal system in addressing and preventing potential threats to school safety.
The proposed plea deal has left many parents feeling that the justice system is not taking the safety of their children seriously. “It’s terrifying to think that someone who allegedly planned such a horrific act could avoid jail time. What kind of message does that send?” said one mother.
As the date approaches, the community remains on edge, hoping that the court will consider the gravity of the allegations and the potential risk posed by Villaseñor. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding threats to school safety and the role of mental health in criminal proceedings.
For now, the families affected by this case are left to grapple with their fears and uncertainties, seeking reassurance that justice will be served and that their children will be protected from such threats in the future.
