School shootings are a frightening reality in modern-day America. As of July 2019, 22 school shootings had occurred. It’s a problem that’s largely unique in the United States. It’s caused enormous political debate over recent years. Lawmakers and politicians alike are scrambling to figure out how to protect schoolchildren.
Again, and again, people wonder how to recognize the signs of a planned school shooting.
How are we supposed to take action if we don’t know how, when, or where a shooter will strike? One woman recently found herself in a position to take action against a would-be shooter — her own son.
The woman, identified only as Nicole, turned her 17-year-old son in after she found his journal.
In at least one entry, he talked about planning an attack on College Place High School on April 20, 2020.
“I know a lot of people that go to College Place High School,” she said. “Their lives would have been forever changed. It’s devastating. I know I did all I can do and that I made the right choice.”
When she confronted her son, he told her the journal entry was a creative writing exercise.
He said it shouldn’t be taken seriously. But that didn’t sit right with Nicole, who decided to call the police.
For one thing, the date is significant. April 20, 2020, is the 21st anniversary of the attack on Columbine High School. That shooting killed 12 students and one teacher. At the time, it was the most significant school shooting event in American history.
Nicole decided to call the police, worried not only for the safety of others but also for her son’s mental health.
She decided it would be best for everybody if he was in prison. Authorities agreed. Police arrested her 17-year-old son and now, Nicole is being praised by media outlets as a hero. But it was a difficult choice for her.
“She’s very courageous,” said College Place police chief Troy Tomaras. “It’s clearly very emotional for her. She loves her son.”
The journal described plans to use pipe bombs and firearms to “blast anyone on sight” and “execute survivors.”
“He’s plotting to attack and kill people,” said Tomaras. “That’s beyond creative writing. That’s beyond normal.”
While she knows she made the right decision, Nicole’s still tormented by the worry that she did something wrong. She wonders how her son developed into the kind of extremist who would plan such an act. And now, she fears he won’t get the mental health treatment he needs while in prison.
She also says she still loves him and always will, no matter what.
“It takes a lot to do what I did,” she said. “It wasn’t easy. I’m worried about his mental health and he needs help. Truth hurts sometimes.”
For now, she knows it’s safest for everyone, her son included, if he remains in prison. There’s no doubt this was the scariest decision of her life. But she made the right choice to protect her child and others.
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