Nov. 22, 2017, M.J. Jensen and Deshaun Haag placed printed flyers referencing the 1999 Columbine (Colorado) school shootings in more than 20 student lockers at Eden Valley-Watkins High School. Police were called in and the boys, then 16 and 17, were taken into custody. They were released while awaiting trial, and were expelled from EV-W for 12 months each by the school board.
Haag appeared in court last month, and Jensen’s appearance was July 17. Both were found not guilty of the felony charges by Eighth District Court Judge Michael J. Thompson in Meeker County.
Stating, “The court does not take this decision lightly,” Thompson went on to say that their behavior was bad, but not at the level of a crime. Most students asked said they thought their actions last November were a joke, although some said they felt threatened by the images.