A transgender teen in Maryland has been arrested on suspicion of planning mass shootings at two schools as part of a twisted effort to become “famous.”
Alex Yeh, 18, of Rockville, whose real name is Andrea, was arrested Wednesday and charged with threatening gang violence for allegedly writing a 129-page document that the suspect described as a “memoir.” According to ABC News.
Authorities said the post was in reference to the shootings at Wootton High School and Lakewood Elementary School, where Ye attended online.
According to the paper, Ye told a former school counselor that she wanted to become famous for this incident.
Although the student claimed that the memoir was a work of fiction, including a disclaimer that “does not represent the beliefs of the author,” the person with whom the student shared the document The author reported the memoir to authorities because it showed a “striking resemblance” to the author. .
The news agency said witnesses believed Ye, who is biologically female but identifies as male, was soon ready to carry out the attack.
“I want to shoot up a school. I’ve been preparing for months. The gun is an AR-15. This gun will change the way we live tomorrow…As I walk down the halls, I handpick the classrooms that are the most likely targets. ” Ye is said to have written. WBAL-TV reported.
“I had to find a way to sneak a gun in. I also thought about making a bomb. Instructions on how to make one are surprisingly available online. Small children are easy targets, so I decided to go to my old elementary school. “I thought about shooting myself,” the student said.
“High school is my number one goal. I’m the most knowledgeable when it comes to layout. I walk around the room like an evil mastermind. I’ve put a lot of effort into this. My ultimate goal is to set a world record for the number of murders by gunfire. If I have time, I will decapitate the victim with a knife and cause the injury to become fatal,” the screed is quoted as saying.
According to court documents cited by ABC News, a witness told authorities that the texts were about a “transgender protagonist” named “James Wan” and “have other issues, such as being bullied at school.” “I have a lot of problems,” he said. [the witness] These are taken directly from Ye’s life and do not represent fiction. ”
Police said they discovered disturbing social media posts and internet searches by Yeh, including “shooting ranges near me,” a description of an AR-15, and “but my plans are completely unethical.” We know that. It’s selfish and evil,” the outlet said.
Chat records show the suspect discussing school shootings with another person in September, police said.
“Recently, my desire to commit murder has worsened and I may end up carrying it out,” Yeh allegedly wrote in December.
“I want to kill a lot of people, or I’m not worth it,” the suspect said in another message that month, authorities said.
According to ABC News, there are no allegations that Ye was in possession of a firearm prior to his arrest.
Both the person who shared the manifesto with Baltimore police on March 3 and Yeh were treated at a psychiatric hospital in Maryland. WJLA reported.
According to the newspaper, Ye began receiving mental health treatment in December 2022 after receiving the threat.
According to WJLA, the Rockville Police Department was then contacted and a welfare check was conducted on Ye, but Ye’s father, who was confident Ye would contact a therapist, said the child’s mental health problems were not resolved. He reportedly said he was not worried about his condition.
The Montgomery County School District said the charges are “extremely serious.”
“Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is aware that a student from Thomas S. Wootton High School has been arrested by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The charges are extremely serious and include threats to harm others. The charges include,” WBAL-TV reported.
“This student has not physically attended an MCPS school since fall 2022, but has been actively participating in class through a virtual program called Online Pathways to Graduation,” the school system said. .
“This matter is currently under police investigation, and due to the Student Privacy Act (FERPA), MCPS cannot share any other information. Student privacy regulations are not a matter of arbitrary discretion; they are governed by federal law. It is important to understand that this is firmly established,” he added.
Yeh, who has not yet entered a plea, is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit pending a bail hearing.
The investigation was conducted jointly by Montgomery County Police and the FBI.
