------------------------------------ by James Harrison UPI News Services ------------------------------------ MIDLAND (UPI) - Today, this peaceful Texas town was shaken by violent student action at a local high school. Harry M. Truman High School, of the 1200 block of Main, was closed after students reported seized control of the library and some surrounding areas, local and federal police said. "We have information that approixmately 40 students armed with homemade and stolen weapons attempted a coup yesterday afternoon," said FBI investigator Robert Harks. "They were unsuccessful, but managed to take control of the library and some surrounding areas before state and local police arrived," he said. Harks added that although the library was still under control of the student group, which calls itself The Freedom Coalition, plans are underway to bring kids back to school. "The local school authorities have assured me that the students will be back to school by next Monday," Harks said, "and I am sure that by that time we will have eliminated the threat that these delinquent members of society pose to our community." Frank Hurman, Principal of Truman High School, said that he agreed with the actions of the federal and local officers and would cooperate fully. "I think that these policemen are doing a wonderful job of trying to preserve order in a time like this," he said, "and I am in full agreement with the steps they are taking and will help them to the best of my ability." Hurman said that he didn't know "what got into those individuals" or why they decided to take over the library. "I definitely feel that they were targeting the library and our librarians in some fashion," he said. "I do not know why," Hurman added. Harks said that he was not sure of the focus of the violence. "At this time, it would be premature to assume what their objective is," he said. "As any expert on this sort of situation like myself knows, terrorists often have motives that do not manifest themselves immediately. On the basis of this information, I cannot tell you what they are after. I can tell you that they are violent," said Harks. According to police and federal agents, a group of 30-40 students gathered outside the library early Wednesday morning, equipped with backpacks that turned out to be full of weapons. Marsha Hendricks, a sophomore, was one of the students who was at the scene of the violence. She had to fight back tears as she spoke with reporters. "There were these people, I knew some of them," she said, "just standing around (the library). And I was talking to a friend, and we were about to go into school, and I looked over, and this guy just pulled a gun out of his backpack." Hendricks said that at that point, the violence began. "...everyone out there had a gun, and one guy just blew the security guard's head off. It was awful. Then, they just broke in, right into the library, and I heard more shooting. I saw Mrs. Lambard falling. I don't know what happened after that. I ran. It was a nightmare." The security guard's body was thrown from a second story window earlier today, but police have not yet released details. Lambard's whereabouts are unknown. John Fries was standing outside the library when the shooting started. He is the only witness to a killing that has baffled police investigators. "I was standing outside, with some friends, and I heard some popcorn popping-noises. I looked up, and I saw Mr. Huxley (a librarian) standing by a window, and then the window just...shattered, and he fell down inside. He was covered with blood," Fries said. No one else actually saw the shooting, say police. Fries is adamant about it. "See that window up there?" he said, pointing. "It's all shot out," said Fries. "That was where they shot him. But all these police dudes say is that there is no evidence. I know what I saw." Investigators still know precious little about the case. All that has been verified, said Harks, was that there was an attack and that there is at least one person still shooting from the second story of the library. "There is at least one heavily armed individual inside that building," he said. "However, at this time I cannot tell you how many people or who was involved. Most of the students left when the shooting started. All that we have is the testimony of several scared teenagers, and I can't make arrests on that." Harks said that police are now systematically searching for who might be involved. "We are calling homes," he said, "but it will take time." Investigators do not expect a major break until at least Friday. Earlier today, a tape with demands supposedly from The Freedom Coalition was sent to local newcasters. On the tape was a list of demands, including the ability to talk and have group study in the library, and to remove the power of librarians across America. Part of the tape was a caustic criticism of America's librarians. "We have experienced the unfairness and cruelty of high school librarians. You are the people who give us detentions for talking in the libraries, even though it is necessary for our studies. You hold too much power, and it has corrupted you. In view of this, we condemn your actions and demand your removal," the tape said. Although investigators insist that the investigation is moving on schedule, there are still skeptics. "I think they're just wasting time," said Elaine Hendricks, mother of Marsha Hendricks, a witness to the attack. "They're calling my little girl a liar, ignoring what she has to say, while some crazy people out there are getting away with murder. I mean it. There's no excuse for this dawdling," said Hendricks. Fries agreed. "I know what I saw," he said, "but they don't know what they're seeing."