Mans Says Son Was `Play-Acting`

The father of a teen accused of plotting a shooting spree in Oaklyn said Tuesday he believes his son was play-acting when he and two friends were found with weapons and ammunition.

Ron Lovett described his son, Matthew, 18, as "basically a child inside."

"It's a nightmare because I feel so bad for him because he is immature and right now he must be thinking, 'Why did this take place, why am I here?'" said Ron Lovett, Matthew's father.

Police said Lovett and two other suspects -- a 14 year old and a 15 year old -- were apprehended Sunday with loaded guns, knives and 2,000 rounds of ammunition after an alleged carjacking attempt.

Prosecutors said the boys planned to kill three other school age Oaklyn residents, and then fire their weapons at random. They face charges of carjacking and conspiracy to commit murder. If the teens were convicted of conspiring to kill at least five people, they would face prison sentences of 30 years to life with no chance of parole for 30 years. Lovett has been charged as an adult and the other two suspects currently are being charged as juveniles.

Ron Lovett told NBC 10 News that he refuses to believe the teens were poised to go on a killing spree.

FeedRoom Father Speaks On Accused Teen "Matt's ... not a hardened criminal. He's never harmed anybody to (make officials) throw the book at him," Ron Lovett said.

Authorities said Matthew stole weapons and ammunition from his father's locked closed and enlisted the two juveniles to participate in the alleged murder plot.

"Matt wasn't interested in guns, never fired one. When he was born, that's when I locked the stuff away," Ron Lovett said. "I know that none of those three are criminals. You know, Matt's never been in trouble with the law, (I've never gotten) notes home from school like for discipline or anything."

Students who know Matthew described him as a loner who was often picked on.

"I knew he had trouble with kids out on the street. Because as soon as his brother and he were old enough to go out together, like walk down the street, go to the park, his brother was ridiculed because of facial deformities and Matt had to fend these people off," Ron Lovett explained.

"He's shell-shocked, scared, anxiety-filled. I asked him if he knew what his bail was. He thought it was $7,500. I said, "Matt, it's a million,'" said Craig Mitnick, Lovett's attorney.

Mitnick said he would not be asking for a reduction in the bail. "Because the family doesn't have the finances to get him out of jail. But more compelling, I don't believe this kid is safe out on the streets because of society right now. I think he's in the safest place. He's going to get some psychological and psychiatric evaluations (and) once we take a look at those evaluations, there may be an application for bail. But right now, it's not in this kid's best interest."

While many people question the severity of the charges against the three teenagers, the county prosecutor issued a statement saying the charges were based on the severity of the things they found when they arrested the suspects.

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