Father Says Son Was Coerced

The father of a 14-year-old boy charged with two others with planning to go on a killing rampage said Wednesday that his son was forced into the plot by his controlling older friend.

Joe Olson said his son was afraid of Matthew Lovett, 18, who had been giving his son lessons on how to draw.

But Olson said Lovett would not let the boy go home or use the phone last weekend when authorities say they were planning to go on a killing rampage.

Olson said his son told him that Lovett "said he was going to kill his father . . . . It pretty much left (his son) with no choice. He was just trying to get out of there," Olson told The Associated Press at the Camden County Courthouse, where his son was appearing before a judge in the case.

Lovett, Olson's son and another teenager were arrested Sunday on charges they plotted to kill three teens and open fire randomly on other people with a cache of guns and ammunition.

The three were arrested after attempting a carjacking. They had several guns belonging to Matthew's father, including rifles, a shotgun, several handguns, swords and 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

Olson said his son told him he was trying to help the intended carjacking victim get away.

"He's a good kid. I was shocked when I heard this. I'm still shocked," Olson said.

Lovett was being held in jail on $1 million bond. The younger boys were being held at a youth detention center.

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Author: NBC10/AP