GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. – A Michigan father is facing hate crime charges after prosecutors say he threatened to burn down the school and kill the staff.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged Thomas Latting, 37, of Flint Township, with a hate crime and threatening to kill staff members and burn down McMonagle Elementary School in Mt. Morris Township.
Latting was charged with four felonies, including false report or of threat of terrorism, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, false report or threat of bomb/harmful device (4-year felony), ethnic intimidation (2-year felony) and intentional threat to commit an act of violence against school, school employees, or students (1-year felony).
The incident occurred on Monday (Feb. 12) when Latting went to McMonagle Elementary School in the Westland Heights School District to pick up his child, who was participating in an after-school activity.
Officials say a teacher at the building encountered Latting, who became very upset with dismissal procedures. The teacher said that Latting began screaming and threatened to burn down the school and kill everyone as he pointed at the school building and staff who were present.
Officials say he also banged on the doors of the school and yelled racial slurs toward staff, all of which caused the staff and children to become fearful for their safety. Latting was allowed to take his daughter and he left the school premises in his truck at a very high rate of speed.
Officials were contacted, including the Mt. Morris Township Police, Michigan State Police, and the FBI.
Surveillance of Latting’s residence was performed as search warrants were being drafted by the Genessee County Prosecutor’s Office.
When Latting was observed leaving his residence in his vehicle, a traffic stop was conducted, and he was arrested.
Latting previously served a seven-year prison sentence after he pled guilty in 2009 to one count of explosives, one count of arson of a dwelling house, and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
“Mr. Latting appears to have a volatile personality based not only on this incident but his past criminal record,” said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. “It was his past record and known history that particularly caused concern in this incident and indicates that we should not take his words at the school as idle threats but as words that should be heeded with great caution.”
A probable cause conference is scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 29).