A teenager in Oregon was arrested for plotting an attack at a shopping mall in Washington State, which law enforcement officials described as “as serious as it gets.” The plan involved detonating an explosive at the Three Rivers Crossing mall in Kelso, Washington, and shooting moviegoers as they fled the theater.
The unidentified teenager, from Columbia County, Oregon, was taken into custody on May 22 by deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, following intelligence reported to the F.B.I. on May 19. The F.B.I. worked with local law enforcement to apprehend the suspect the following day.
Doug Olson, special agent in charge of the F.B.I.’s Portland office, indicated the agency acted swiftly to prevent the attack, stating, “This plot was as serious as it gets.” He did not disclose the identity of the informant who provided the tip, emphasizing the importance of public vigilance and reporting suspicious activities.
A court-authorized surveillance was placed on the teenager, and a federal search warrant executed at his residence led to the seizure of three handguns, ammunition, four knives, and five digital devices.
The teenager faces unspecified state charges, and it remains unclear if he has legal representation. Investigators noted that he had demonstrated both intent and means to carry out the attack, as evidenced by detailed plans, including a map of the mall, the route he intended to take, and the clothing he planned to wear.
Authorities reported that he had posted his attack plans in an online chat on May 17, intending to use a chlorine bomb to create panic and subsequently shooting at fleeing patrons. He also planned to take his own life afterward in a separate area of the mall.
The F.B.I. highlighted that the teenager had been developing the attack plans since early this year and had expressed allegiance to unspecified “nihilistic violent extremist” groups in online discussions. Olson explained that such individuals often share their threats before taking concrete steps and gathering materials for their attacks.
He added that in the aftermath of violent incidents, there are usually individuals who have noticed warning signs, suggesting that timely intervention could help prevent such tragedies.