A 14-year-old Oregon boy has been arrested after authorities uncovered his detailed plans to carry out a mass shooting and bombing at Three Rivers Mall in Washington state, showing how vigilant law enforcement can prevent tragedy before it strikes.
At a Glance
- FBI agents prevented a planned mass shooting at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington, following a tip received on May 19
- The 14-year-old suspect from Columbia County, Oregon, allegedly planned to use a chlorine bomb as a distraction before shooting moviegoers
- Law enforcement recovered three handguns, ammunition, knives, and detailed attack plans including a mall map and planned route
- The teen faces eight charges including first-degree attempted murder and is awaiting a court decision on whether he’ll be charged as a juvenile or adult
FBI Thwarts Mall Attack Following Online Tip
The FBI announced it has successfully prevented what could have been a devastating mass shooting at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington. Acting on a tip received May 19 about threats posted in an online group chat, agents quickly identified a 14-year-old Columbia County, Oregon resident as the suspect behind the plot. The investigation revealed disturbing details about a planned attack that included using a chlorine bomb as a distraction before shooting people fleeing a movie theater.
FBI special agent in charge Douglas A. Olson emphasized the severity of the situation during a press conference. “This plot is as serious as it gets,” he said. Investigators determined the teen had been planning the attack since early 2025 and had made significant progress toward carrying it out. The suspect was linked to what authorities described as “nihilistic violent extremist” groups online, where he allegedly shared his intentions.
Weapons and Detailed Plans Seized in Raid
On May 22, FBI agents and Columbia County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant that led to the teen’s arrest and the discovery of an arsenal of weapons. Law enforcement seized three handguns, ammunition, knives, and various digital devices. More concerning was the recovery of detailed attack plans, including a mall map with a plotted route, instructions for constructing a chlorine bomb, and a step-by-step strategy for the attack.
“An alarming amount of indicators of a cogent path to violence were met — at no point in this plan did it seem like the suspect wouldn’t follow through with their plans,” the FBI stated.
The evidence recovered showed clear intent and capability to carry out the attack. The teen allegedly planned to detonate the chemical bomb to create chaos before opening fire on moviegoers as they fled the theater. Documents also indicated the suspect intended to commit suicide after the attack, a common pattern in mass shooting events. The eight charges filed against the teen include first-degree attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms.
Swift Action Highlights Importance of Reporting Suspicious Activity
Law enforcement officials credit the successful intervention to the initial tip they received and the swift coordination between federal and local agencies. Within 24 hours of receiving the online tip, investigators had identified the suspect. Within three days, they had executed the search warrant and taken the teen into custody. This rapid response demonstrates the effectiveness of modern intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation in preventing potential mass casualty events.
“I just think it shows that these threats are real,” said Douglas A. Olson. “I think this is a great example of a team working together to eliminate what I believe was something that was imminent, that was going to happen.” Olson emphasized.
The teen was taken into custody by Columbia County juvenile authorities and scheduled for a court appearance. Authorities have not yet determined whether he will be charged as a juvenile or an adult, a decision that will significantly impact potential sentencing if convicted. The case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in identifying and neutralizing threats from increasingly younger individuals with access to weapons and online extremist materials.
