NORTHFIELD, Minn. (WCAX) – A U-32 graduate who was a track and field and Nordic skiing star is charged with plotting to cause violence at a private college in Minnesota.
Waylon Kurts, 20, of Middlesex, now attends St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he faces a slew of charges after police say they found knives and other items in his dorm room.
Last Wednesday, custodial staff at St. Olaf, where Kurts is a sophomore, found two empty packages of high-capacity magazines in a garbage can outside dorm rooms, prompting a search by campus safety.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Rice County Prosecutor’s Office, in Kurts’ dorm room, police found a tactical vest, empty boxes of ammunition, knives, propane canisters, fireworks, a lock-pick set and notes detailing public safety radio frequencies.
Law enforcement also confiscated notebooks including detailed plans to steal ammunition from a local Walmart, along with a hand-drawn map of a building on campus detailing entry and exit points. There were also notes on how to break down doors and where to aim on the body when shooting people. And they say there was evidence he might not have been acting alone.
According to the complaint, Kurts told police he was a gun enthusiast and that he believed he was not breaking rules by having the equipment in his room.
Kurts was arrested last Thursday. He’s charged with conspiracy to commit threats of violence, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault and making terroristic threats.
A search of his cellphone also showed Kurts was texting about buying guns from unlicensed sellers.
According to the complaint, Kurts’ family told police that all of their guns were back in Vermont.
Vermont schools take their own approach to prevention. In many districts and campuses, staff members receive behavioral threat assessment training, where staff members learn to assess and report concerning behavior.
“I like to say it’s a community caretaking approach that everyone has a role and job to play to keep our education institutions safe and opening and welcoming, loving, safe educational environments,” Vermont School Safety Liaison Rob Evans said.
Friday, prosecutors wrote to the judge, saying Kurts’ mother would be posting bail for her son and that he is returning home to Vermont.
Minnesota prosecutors are also asking that the Kurts family turn over all of their guns to police in Vermont.
St. Olaf College suspended Kurts.
I reached out to Kurts’ attorney but had not yet heard back when this story was published.
Kurts was an accomplished athlete on the U-32 track team and on the ski team.
Washington Central Unified Union School District Superintendent Megan Roy told me they have not been contacted by law enforcement and they are not aware of any local safety concerns. In a statement, Roy said: ” … We have been thinking about the Kurts family since hearing about this, and our hearts go out to them during this difficult time. We sincerely hope both Waylon and his family are receiving the support they need.”
Roy added there is support for school community members who may need it.
I spoke with Kurts’ father, who declined to comment.
It’s not clear when Waylon Kurts is returning to Vermont.
Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Read More: Student from Vt. charged with plotting to cause violence at Minn. college
