Taiwanese Exchange Student Who Plotted a School Shooting as a ‘Joke’ to be Deported

An Tso “Edward” Sun, the 18-year-old son of famous talk show host in Taiwan Sun Peng and actress Di Ying, is set to be deported after a judge ordered parole to federal immigration authorities, according to Taiwan News.

Authorities were immediately alerted after Sun, who entered the United States on a five-year student visa, told a friend on March 26 to not come to school on May 1 as he planned to commit a mass shooting at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School. He then reportedly backtracked on his threat and said he was just kidding.

“When questioned why, the defendant replied, ‘I’m going to come here armed and shoot up the school,’” Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt said, Delaware County Daily Times reported. “He then said, ‘Just kidding.’”

“School shootings happen much too frequently in this country and here’s one in our own backyard,” McDevitt said. “Even a person in the defendant’s position, having been in the country since September, had to know that you cannot joke about school shootings.”

On top of his charge of terroristic threats, Sun was also charged with possessing an instrument of crime when authorities found the weapons he stockpiled at his host family’s home on the 200 block of LeCarra Drive.

Upper Darby Police found several weapons as they searched Sun’s residence, including a high-powered crossbow, several parts of a 9mm handgun, live 9mm bullets, military-style ballistic vests, and a backpack with pouches to hold ammo clips.

Authorities also discovered that Sun allegedly brought a high caliber bullet to his school in February and that he looked into the process of purchasing two high-powered rifles, AK-47 and AR-15 online using a school iPad.

“So although he was cooperative later on, he had the exact means to do what he told the student he was planning to do on May 1: He was going to come armed and he was going to shoot up the school,” McDevitt said.

In court on Monday, Sun apologized to Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Barry C. Dozor for his actions, with the court saying “he had brought shame on his family and those who supported him.”

“During my time in prison, there was not one day where I was not regret what I did,” the teenager said. “Now I cannot even graduate with my friends or go to the college I always wanted to, because of my own mistakes. I’m just really sorry. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”

Judge Dozor said that Sun caused “serious havoc” to the school, which is a safe place for students to learn.

“Accepting responsibility, having regret and remorse is of great value, and the court notes that,” Judge Dozor said. “But it is most important to understand that the commonwealth shows that you had the means and the tools to act out your threats … of harm, destruction and damage, and this was more than just mere words.”

He added that in order to make amends for what he did, Sun will need to live a good life and only contribute positive deeds in the future.

“You will return to a remarkable nation with a great deal of opportunity and promise,” he told Sun. “Make a contribution in the lives of others.”

Featured Image (left) via YouTube / CBS Evening News, (right) via Taiwan News