14-year-old arrested after allegedly discussing plans to shoot up church in Florida
A 14-year-old is in custody after allegedly discussing plans to carry out a shooting at a church in Wimauma, Florida, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced Wednesday.
The teen suspect allegedly "engaged in an online chat room that's designed or designated for violent extremists," Chronister said.
The sheriff said that the suspect is also allegedly linked to a neo-Nazi satanic group.
The sheriff's office served a search warrant at the teen's residence, where they allegedly found multiple firearms, ammunition, and electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material.
Sheriff Chronister said the firearms recovered included one from his father's nightstand "that he easily could have had access to."
"Think about the potential of the violence that could have occurred," Chronister added.
The suspect was arrested at his home on Jan. 31. Just days earlier, the Joint Terrorism Task Force received information from the Internet Predator Unit that they were investigating a computer at the same residence, Chronister said.
The teen was charged with making a written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, as well as fourteen counts of solicitation or possession of child pornography.
"The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes," said Chronister. "Threats of mass violence and the exploitation of children demand immediate action, and we will always move swiftly to protect lives and hold those responsible accountable."
