Mandan man threatens to shoot up school on first day back

A 20-year-old Mandan man is accused of making threats to shoot up a school during the first day back.

Mandan Police say Eric Erhart called his mom on Wednesday and told her he was planning on doing a school shooting as a result of a breakup with his girlfriend.

His mother called police and told them he was planning on breaking into the Bismarck National Guard Armory to steal fully automatic guns and ammunition.

A court affidavit says his mother was worried he would follow through with the threats because he lives in a home with his father who has several accessible guns.

Mandan Police officers spoke with Erhart and he told them he wanted to be the next Columbine, referencing the 1999 school massacre that left 15 dead and 24 injured.

Erhart told police he didn’t know what school he wanted to carry his attack out on but wanted others to understand the pain he is going through.

Police say he doesn’t actually want to follow through with the threat but admitted he made them.

He is charged with terrorizing and his bond was set at $5,000, no contact with victim and written permission to stay at local address.