An 18-year-old transgender teenager has confessed to plotting a mass shooting at an Indiana high school earlier this year, an attack authorities say was deliberately planned to coincide with Valentine’s Day — the anniversary of the 2018 Parkland school massacre.
According to The New York Post, the suspect, identified as Trinity Shockley, intends to plead guilty to felony conspiracy to commit murder. Under the plea agreement, Shockley will serve 12 and a half years in prison, followed by five years of probation.
Law enforcement officials said Shockley was arrested after police received a tip that the teenager had obtained an AR-15-style rifle and purchased a bulletproof vest. The same tipster reportedly told investigators that Shockley had developed an obsession with mass shootings and frequently spoke about them.
Shockley, who identifies as male and goes by the name “Jamie,” allegedly selected Valentine’s Day for the planned attack to mirror the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead and 17 others injured.
Court documents revealed that the teen’s fascination with the Parkland shooter was a key factor in the investigation. Authorities said the timing of the planned assault was intended as an homage to that tragedy.
As part of the plea arrangement, Shockley will be prohibited from researching school shooters for life, The Post reported. The teen will also have all electronic devices monitored by specialized software and will be permanently barred from owning firearms. Additionally, Shockley is required to undergo counseling at their own expense.
An official plea hearing is scheduled for November 24, when Shockley is expected to formally enter the guilty plea in court.
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