By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
The teen, Shabaz Khan, admitted to police he poured gasoline from a water bottle down a stairwell at Campus Magnet High School in Cambria Heights sometime after noon, before students had filled the area in between classes because he “wanted to kill people,” according to police and the criminal complaint.He has been charged with criminal possession of a dangerous weapon, attempted arson, and reckless endangerment, according to the DA. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 6.Khan is being held on $250,000 bail after being arraigned in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens on March 23 and could face up to 25 years in jail if convicted, according to the DA's spokeswoman. She added that the large bail sum was imposed by Judge Steven Paynter because of the potential for loss of life had the gasoline been lit.It is unclear why Khan had not lit the gasoline after pouring it in the hallway, but police sources said other students at the school had heard of the plot and alerted authorities.The Post reported Khan told police he “was not a terrorist” but that he “wanted to kill a lot of people.” It also reported Khan was teased by students at the high school because of his race, which is half black and half Pakistani and that could have been his motivation for the arson attempt.The criminal complaint also said Khan had materials in his back pack that provided information an how to make a variety of “incendiary devices.” Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 173.
