Federal law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C., successfully thwarted a potential school shooting by arresting a juvenile in the city’s seventh ward, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday.
The juvenile faces multiple charges, including threats to kidnap and injure, possession of stolen property, firearms and ammunition and a large-capacity feeding device.
Investigators launched the case after discovering social media posts in which he allegedly threatened a school.
A search of the suspect’s residence yielded seven firearms. Leavitt emphasized the danger posed by the individual.
“This was a juvenile who was a risk to not just himself but the community here in Washington, and he was removed from the community last night because of the law enforcement efforts of this administration,” she said.
The arrest comes amid national concern over school security following the deadly attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, where 23-year-old Robert “Robin” Westman killed two children, ages eight and 10 and injured 17 others during a school-wide Mass.
Westman, who identified as “trans,” posted disturbing videos online and inscribed messages on his weapons referencing previous mass shooters. He ultimately died by suicide after the attack.
In response to rising crime rates in the