Edina middle school student apologizes for posting hate list on Web

EDINA (AP) -- An Edina eighth-grader who posted a list of people he hates and a couple possible threats on his personal Web site has sent apologies everyone on the list, his principal said Friday.

The student's parents kept him home from class at South View Middle School on Thursday and Friday after word of the list started circulating among students, Principal David Peterson said.

"You can imagine that there was a buzz created," Peterson said. But he said things were calm Friday.

Edina School District officials were waiting for police to complete their investigation before deciding whether the student would face any consequences, but Peterson noted that the boy created the list outside of school.

The list titled "People I Hate" contained about 60 names of classmates and one school official. About 10 of the names had notes next to them that contained either personal insults or threats.

Next to the school official, it said, "I will run you over in a semi."

At the end of the list, it said, "All preps will die by the hands of me."

Parents and students have called it a "hit list," but school officials and police have shied away from that characterization.

Peterson said he was pleased that the boy's parents took the matter seriously and acted quickly.