2 Cy Ridge teens out on bond after alleged plot to kill schoolmates

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Two teens appeared in court Thursday after being arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Tony Warner and Seth Phillips, both 17 and both students at Cy Ridge High School, were in court Thursday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The two are accused of making a plan to take knives to school to kill classmates. Investigators said they found knives and a list of written chores that included phrases such as "gather weapons," "get money," and "identify people to kill."

A Channel 2 crew went by Warner's home. His family wouldn't talk on camera, but his stepfather claimed off-camera that Phillips is the one behind the trouble. Neighbors said they never expected something like this to hit so close to home.

"This all around the country is going on," said Ruben Cantu. "But this has surprised me. This has surprised me."

We also went by Phillips' residence but were unable to track down him or his family. Both teens are out of jail but have been sent to alternative school and have to wear ankle monitors.

Investigators discovered the alleged plot when the teens started warning classmates to skip school on Thursday. Warner and Boyd referred to themselves as Murder Inc., according to authorities.

"That's kind of crazy how anything that you can say could be used like as a serious thing," Moiss Euran, a Cy Ridge student, said. "Even if you are joking, I mean the police can take it to the next level and take it serious."

Police said an index card with the teens' names on it referenced the following tasks:

  • Get knives
  • Gather weapons
  • Get money
  • Identify people to kill
  • Get mode of transportation 

Police said one of the knives they collected was a butcher's knife.

"Although this incident occurred off campus, additional police were on campus (Wednesday) as a precautionary measure," Cy Fair Independent School District officials said in a statement. "Any threat involving school safety will be taken seriously and those involved punished swiftly."

The police will remain on campus as long as necessary, CFISD officials said.

Warner and Phillips will return to court on Mar. 7.

"I'm confident that at some point my client is going to be cleared of any wrongdoing," defense attorney Lionel Castro said.