A 13-year-old boy in Washington was arrested with 23 guns and writings detailing mass shooting plots, averting a potential massacre.
At a Glance
- Deputies seized 23 firearms, including 3D-printed ghost guns, from a 13-year-old’s home.
- Investigators found detailed writings referencing Columbine and Uvalde massacres.
- The boy had been out of school since age 9 with no oversight.
- Community tips triggered a rapid SWAT raid, stopping what police called a “major mass shooting.”
Community Alert Foils Attack
Pierce County deputies acted fast after receiving tips about a 13-year-old threatening to kill. The warnings came Friday afternoon.
By early Saturday, deputies and SWAT stormed his home. They seized an arsenal and took the boy into custody. Officials said they stopped what looked like a textbook mass shooting plan.
Watch now: Teen’s Arsenal Busted by SWAT
"13-year-old boy with 'school shooter ideations' found with collection of guns, 'mass shooting' writings: Sheriff"
A 13 year old had all of this. The greedy gun lobby will tell you nothing needs to change—they just see dollar signs.https://t.co/MpvARElgGQ pic.twitter.com/Vmimzpkooq
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisKC) September 9, 2025
Sheriff’s deputies credited community vigilance. They said without those tips, the boy’s plans may have gone unnoticed until it was too late.
Guns and Plans Uncovered
The search turned up 23 firearms, several built as ghost guns with 3D-printed parts. These untraceable weapons avoid background checks.
Investigators said the weapons showed a level of planning unusual for someone so young. Homemade gun parts revealed knowledge of firearm mechanics not typical of a child.
Authorities also seized writings describing mass shooting scenarios. The texts referenced Columbine and Uvalde. Social media posts showed the boy posing with firearms, echoing past shooters’ obsession with notoriety.
Education Gaps Raise Alarm
Records show the boy had not been in school since 2021, when he was just nine. No system flagged his absence.
The Franklin Pierce School District is working with police, but questions linger. How did a child vanish from school without intervention?
Experts link chronic absenteeism with higher risks of youth violence. Teachers and counselors often spot early warning signs. With no oversight, this boy grew more isolated, steeped in online radicalization.
Court Battle and Parental Role
The teen appeared in court Monday. He pled not guilty to five charges, including four felonies tied to threats and unlawful weapons.
Despite the arsenal found at home, his parents face no charges. They say police overreacted. Authorities insist they prevented a “major mass shooting.”
The case highlights a gap between parental claims and public safety demands. Officials stressed that threats must be treated seriously, regardless of a suspect’s age.
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