Oregon Juvenile Caught Planning Chlorine Bomb and Shooting Rampage at Mall in Washington

A juvenile from Columbia County who conspired to a mass shooting and bomb attack at the Three Rivers Mall at Kelso in Washington state last month has been arrested by the Portland FBI Field Office and local law enforcement officers.

The teenager, whose name cannot be released because he is a minor, was arrested on 22 May after details of the planned attack were reported to the FBI three days earlier.

Suspect Shared Nihilistic Violent Extremist Ideology

It took the FBI and their enforcement partners only one day to identify the suspect as a juvenile from Columbia County. According to the FBI Oregon Field Office, the suspect ‘shared nihilistic violent extremist ideology and the plans in online chats.’

After his identification and because of public safety concerns, investigators immediately placed the teenager under court-authorized surveillance.

According to the FBI, the suspect ‘demonstrated the intent and means to carry out the plan.’ He had precise details of the planned attack in his possession.

Investigators found that the teenager had a map of the mall, a detailed plan showing the route to the mall that the shooter would take, a plan to use an improvised chlorine bomb to incite panic, and then to shoot mall patrons as they were exiting the movie theater.

He would ultimately commit suicide at a location to be decided in the mall.

FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson described it as a ‘serious plot’ ans that the suspect gave no indication that he would not follow through with his intentions.

Olson said that together with partners, the FBI moved swiftly to stop the plan and to protect the community.

The FBI appeals to the public to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement, and Olson says parents should openly discuss online activity with their children.

The Columbia County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting this case.