John Schultz IV sentenced for school shooting plot

ROCHESTER, Ind.--The trial for the man who was accused of planning a Columbine-style mass shooting in Rochester, is now completed. John Schultz IV has been sentenced to one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

Schultz was arrested back in July of 2020, after a family member came forward about his concerning behavior and plans that he and a friend had to shoot up a Rochester-area school.

He was first tried in August of 2021, but the jury couldn’t come to a unanimous decision, which caused a mistrial. This year, the case was brought in front of a jury again, with proceedings starting last month with deliberations in the trial spanning three days. Before jurors came back with a decision, Schultz accepted a plea agreement. As part of the agreement, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder that doesn't result in death. The other charges, including a second-degree count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count intimidation and three possession charges, were all dismissed.

Donald Robin Junior, Schultz’s friend who also planned to carry out the shooting, was sentenced to 17 years in prison, with 9 years suspended in March 2021. He’s serving 8 years.

For Shultz, he was sentenced to a total of 19 years and 6 months, but was changed as part of the plea agreement. He will now spend 3 years’ probation, effective immediately.

“He spent 556 days in jail. That’s the only time he’s spending in jail,” one of Schultz’s Attorney’s Joseph Bauer said. “It’s a second chance at his life.”

“He’s got an opportunity to turn things around but he also has a lot of, a lot hanging over his head,” Fulton County Prosecutor Mike Marrs said.

The terms of Shultz’s’ probation include no consumption of drugs or alcohol, no firearm possession, and no contact with any students or staff at any Rochester area school, or Donald Robin Junior. He also must earn his GED within 18 months, complete 90 days of community service, and enter a substance abuse program.

“It means a new start. This kid gets a second chance at life, he gets to go past the mental health and drug problems that he’s faced, past the non-supervision, and gets that help and structure that he needs,” Bauer said.

Schultz is relocating to Michigan, though his probation will still be carried out in Fulton County. If he violates any of the conditions to his probation, he could end up serving his original sentencing.