SOLVED. 00's book about the son of a serial killer coming to a high school [s]

[Deborah]

Sounds similar to I Hunt Killers

[Kris]

My Father's Son by Terri Fields?

[Tab]

Plague Year fits, but it was published in the 1990.

A modern-day morality tale in which only some of the bad guys get mixed. David, 16, is not ready to take on his friend Molly's latest cause--befriending a new boy, Bran, whose long hair and earring make him the butt of jokes and malicious teasing. But whether it's stray cats or lonely boys, Molly is persistent; David finds himself helping Bran in spite of himself. Then Bran's background is revealed: he's the son of a serial killer who is now on trial. Hatred toward Bran infects the town as people wonder how much he knew of his father's vicious crimes; (view spoiler)[the hatred turns to violence when a mob attacks Bran's home--and when a local hero and Bran go head to head in a chilling scene that results in their both drowning. (hide spoiler)]