A hero grandmother in Everett, Washington, has potentially saved countless lives after turning her grandson’s disturbing journal over to police and preventing what could have been a horrific school shooting.
The potential attack was thwarted just one day before a gunman killed at least 17 people at a high school in Florida.
Joshua Alexander O’Connor, 18, reportedly wrote the following in his journal: “I’m preparing myself for the school shooting. I can’t wait. My aim has gotten much more accurate … I can’t wait to walk into that class and blow all those (expletives) away.”
O’Connor’s grandmother is said to have read this purported entry and alerted police, who arrested the teen at ACES High School on Tuesday, The Daily Herald reported.
The journal entry also went on to make other chilling proclamations, including potential plans to use bombs in an effort to harm as many people as possible — and a coin toss that would lead the teen to choose between one of two schools.
“I need to make this count. I’ve been reviewing many mass shootings/bombings (and attempted bombings),” he reportedly wrote. “I’m learning from past shooters/bombers mistakes.”
One entry also reportedly discussed a recent armed robbery of a local convenience store, which could have referred to an event that unfolded on Monday during which $100 was taken from the location.
Prosecutors believe the money was to be used for the shooting, and police claim that O’Connor admitted to the crime. The suspect reportedly planned to die in the shooting.
Perhaps the greatest shock came when the grandmother reportedly found a rifle in O’Connor’s guitar case. She promptly called authorities who took action, The Daily Herald reported.
Bail has been set at $5 million, as investigators continue to look into O’Connor.
Rachel Forde, a public defender, said that the gun and grenade shells he possessed were legal and said his journal didn’t offer enough evidence for an attempted murder charge, The New York Post reported.