FBI Stops Teen’s Terror Plot to Bomb and Shoot Up Washington Mall [WATCH]

Federal authorities announced Thursday that they had disrupted a planned mass casualty attack involving firearms and an improvised explosive device (IED) at a shopping mall in Washington state.

A teenage suspect was arrested in connection with the plot following a tip to federal authorities.

According to the FBI and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect—a minor whose name has not been released—was taken into custody on May 22 by deputies in Columbia County, Oregon.

Today, SAC Olson and local partners from Columbia County, Ore., spoke about an interrupted plan to use an improvised explosive device and conduct a mass shooting at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, WA. Work such as this is at the core of what we do to protect our communities. pic.twitter.com/shnshMgKDE

— FBI Portland (@FBIPortland) June 5, 2025

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The arrest followed a tip received by the FBI on May 19 regarding a credible threat targeting a mall located approximately 50 miles north of Portland, just off Interstate 5.

FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson described the incident as an immediate and serious threat to public safety.

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“This plot was as serious as it gets,” Olson said in a press release.

“We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”

The teenager, a resident of Columbia County, had reportedly expressed violent extremist views and shared specific details of the planned attack in online conversations.

Investigators said the suspect had developed a detailed plan involving the use of an improvised explosive device—referred to as a chlorine bomb—to create chaos at the mall, followed by a mass shooting of individuals attempting to flee a movie theater.

According to the FBI, the plot included annotated maps of the mall, an outlined route for the shooter to follow, and a pre-determined location for the suspect to end their own life after the attack.

The level of planning and detail prompted law enforcement to place the suspect under court-authorized surveillance out of concern for public safety.

Authorities executed a search warrant and recovered several items they say were intended for use in the attack.

These included three handguns, multiple rounds of ammunition, four knives, five digital devices, and various documents including schematics and maps related to the attack plan.

The juvenile is now in the custody of Columbia County juvenile detention authorities.

Officials have not released further information about potential charges or court proceedings, citing the suspect’s age and the ongoing investigation.

No additional suspects have been named, and officials have not disclosed any evidence suggesting a broader conspiracy or links to organized groups.

Investigators have indicated that the suspect acted alone and was motivated by a violent and nihilistic ideology, as expressed in online forums and private chats.

The FBI emphasized that the threat was neutralized before any members of the public were harmed, crediting swift inter-agency cooperation and community reporting.

“This case underscores the critical role the public can play in helping law enforcement prevent violent attacks,” Olson said.

“We encourage anyone who sees or hears something suspicious to report it immediately.”

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the case and analyze the seized materials.

No timeline has been provided for when formal charges will be announced.

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