Nearly five years ago, two teens gunned down 12 of their classmates and a teacher in Littleton, Colorado's Columbine High School. This week, authorities say another such massacre was thwarted at the high school in Malcolm, Nebraska.

Seventeen-year-old Josh Magee was arrested Tuesday at the school and later charged with attempted first-degree murder. He is accused of bringing a rifle and explosives to school grounds in his car.

Some parents say their children recall Magee talking often of the Columbine massacre. They also say he may have identified with the Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.

Julia Lostroh is the administrative assistant for the school district and has three children in the Malcolm schools.

One of her daughters was a classmate of Magee's. Another served in the speech club with him.

She says her oldest daughter noted Magee asked classmates last week whether they knew of Harris and Klebold.