Pipe Bomber Ordered to Pay $122K in Restitution

A San Mateo County judge this week ruled that a teenager who two years ago launched an attack at Hillsdale High School with pipe bombs and a chainsaw has been ordered to pay $122,161 in restitution.

Alexander Youshock, 19, who is currently in custody in Napa State Hospital, was ordered to pay the money to the San Mateo Union High School District for damages and lost salaries in connection with the Aug. 24, 2009 attack.

On that morning, Youshock went to Hillsdale High with a chainsaw, a 10-inch samurai sword, 10 homemade pipe bombs and a plan to kill his former teachers and as many students as he could.

Although he successfully ignited two pipe bombs that exploded in the school hallway, he failed to start the chainsaw and was tackled by a teacher before anyone was injured.

Once in custody, Youshock was diagnosed with schizophrenia by several court-appointed doctors, and ultimately pleaded no contest to attempted murder and other felony charges in connection with the attack. He was sentenced to a locked mental facility until his sanity is restored, whereupon he would be sent to prison to serve a 24-year sentence.

More than $97,000 of the restitution amount was to repay teachers' salaries for the two days following the attack that Hillsdale High was closed, according to court records.

More than $8,700 was ordered to repay teachers' salaries who took time off to testify at Youshock's trial.

Youshock will also have to pay around $14,450 for repairs to the school from bomb damage, and $1,227 for maintenance staff who repaired the damage.

Since the teenager is currently incarcerated without an income,
there is some question as to whether the restitution money will ever be paid,
San Mateo County chief deputy district attorney Karen Guidotti said.

If at any point in his lifetime Youshock earns an income or obtains the money, he will be required to pay it to the school district until the restitution amount is paid off, Guidotti said.

--Bay City News