Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister highlighted that the teenager revealed his intentions for a shooting in an online platform dedicated to “violent extremists.”
WIMAUMA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has uncovered that a 14-year-old boy’s plan to carry out a mass shooting is linked to a separate child pornography investigation.
Authorities reported receiving a tip-off that the adolescent had access to firearms and intended to target a church located near his residence in Wimauma.
During a Wednesday afternoon press briefing, Sheriff Chronister elaborated that the teen had shared his shooting plan in an online chatroom associated with a neo-Nazi, satanic organization known as the “Temple of Love.”
“This case illustrates the perilous mix of online behavior translating into tangible threats in the real world,” he remarked.
Investigators, through their inquiries, determined that the 14-year-old might be tied to an ongoing child pornography case being handled by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
After conducting a search warrant at his home, officials reported finding multiple firearms, ammunition and electronic devices with child sexual abuse material on them.
The sheriff said the child pornographic material found was 14 pieces of “extremely graphic” images of people inflicting violence on infants and toddlers.
“Images too graphic to discuss because it would keep you up at night,” he said.
The teenager was arrested on Jan. 31 and is charged with:
- Written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism
- In-state transmission of child pornography by electronic device
- 14 counts of solicitation or possession of child pornography, 10 or more images and content of images
- Two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device
Chronister said more charges are pending. He also explained deputies will to churches nearby the teen’s home.
“The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes,” Chronister said in a statement. “Threats of mass violence and the exploitation of children demand immediate action, and we will always move swiftly to protect lives and hold those responsible accountable.”
While the 14-year-old is being charged as a juvenile, Chronister said he is working with the State Attorney’s Office to see if he could be charged as an adult.
10 Tampa Bay News is not identifying the teenager due to his age.
