Authorities in Washington state have arrested a 13-year-old boy after uncovering a disturbing cache of firearms, explosives, and writings that allegedly detailed a potential school shooting scenario.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said it received a tip on Friday evening reporting that the teenager had expressed “school shooter ideations,” made threats to kill, and claimed access to weapons. Deputies, assisted by a SWAT team, executed a warrant at his home early Saturday morning, leading to the boy’s arrest without incident.
Large Weapons Cache Discovered
Inside the residence, investigators seized 23 firearms, some secured and others unsecured. Several of the weapons appeared to be homemade long guns built with 3D-printed parts, according to officials. Authorities also found loaded magazines inscribed with writings referencing school shootings, as well as clothing and documents that suggested the planning of a mass-casualty event.
In addition to the firearms, deputies recovered fireworks and materials that could be used to construct explosives.
Deputy Carly Cappetto of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office described the case as alarming, saying the boy had “checked nearly every box” associated with known school shooting threats.
Charges Filed
The teenager now faces multiple charges, including:
- Attempted threat to bomb or injure a school
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Unlawful possession of fireworks
Court documents reveal the boy had previously posted images on social media holding guns, alongside messages glorifying past mass shootings such as Columbine in 1999 and Uvalde, Texas, in 2022.
At a court hearing on Tuesday, the boy pleaded not guilty to five counts, four of which are felonies. He is currently being held at the Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center, with a detention review hearing scheduled for September 22, 2025.
Background and Community Response
Authorities confirmed the teenager is not currently enrolled in any school. Records show he last attended classes in the Franklin Pierce School District in 2021.
In a statement, the district said:
“We were notified by local law enforcement personnel that a young person in our community was arrested for allegedly planning a school shooting. We continue to work with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office to ensure that this individual is not a threat to our schools or our community as a whole.”
Parents Not Charged
The boy’s parents have not been charged. In court, his mother suggested the social media posts were an attempt to appear “cool,” while his father argued that the charges overstated the situation.
Broader Concerns
Officials highlighted the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers of youth fascination with mass shootings and the accessibility of DIY firearms. Authorities credited swift community reporting for preventing what could have been a tragic outcome.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.