Montgomery County police released a timeline of details into the investigation of a high school student who is charged with threats of mass violence. "A potential catastrophic event was prevented," Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said at a news conference Friday morning. "We prevented this from even sort of getting to the next level and prevented it from happening." In a joint investigation with the FBI, Montgomery County police said they discovered a manifesto written by Andrea Ye, 18, of Rockville, whose preferred name is Alex Ye.Authorities said the writing was about committing mass shootings at two Rockville schools: Wootton High School, which Ye had attended online, and Lakewood Elementary School, which Ye attended.During a bail review Friday afternoon, prosecutors declared there is no greater threat to community safety than Ye, and the judge agreed, denying bail.Ye's parents both have PhDs and work from home for the federal government. Ye's mother occasionally shook her head in disbelief while his father stared ahead.Ye answered the judge's questions with a strong yes or no and ultimately chose not to speak on the advice of his lawyer.Prosecutors read from the 18-page police charging document, emphasizing how Ye talked and wrote about how much fun it would be to "shoot up schools" to see them all dead and committing suicide by cop. "It was the escalating intensity and planning that was cited by the judge," Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said. "She felt that releasing the defendant under any terms of conditions she could create, the community could not be made safe.""The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in the commitment to identify, investigate and prosecute those who seek to harm the most vulnerable among us. I can say with complete conviction, threats made against school children will not be tolerated," said Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.Earlier in the morning, the police chief provided a timeline of the investigation.On March 3, Jones said, the Baltimore County Police Department called the Rockville City Police Department to check on the welfare of Ye based on information about a threat that was made. Jones said Rockville police officers went to the Ye residence, but the suspect's father denied officers' entry.On March 4, Jones said, Rockville police notified Montgomery County police, at which time, the crisis intervention team started investigating based on the information received and the alleged threats Ye made with regard to Wootton and Lakewood.Jones said police discovered Ye shared a 129-page manifesto via Google Docs with another person, who is the witness who ultimately called police. After the Rockville police visit, Ye rescinded the witness' access to the Google Docs account, Jones said.Video below: Police news conferenceJones said Ye wrote on the social media chat app, Discord: "My friend reported me to the police for a book I am writing."According to police charging documents obtained by 11 News, the alleged manifesto included writings that said, in part:"I want to shoot up a school. I've been preparing for months. The gun is an AR-15. This gun is going to change lives tomorrow ... As I walk through the hallways, I cherry pick the classrooms that are the easiest targets. I need to figure out how to sneak the gun in. I have contemplated making bombs. The instructions to make them are surprisingly available online. I have also considered shooting up my former elementary school because little kids make easier targets. High school's the best target; I'm the most familiar with the layout. I pace around my room like an evil mastermind. I've put so much effort into this. My ultimate goal would be to set the world record for the most amount of kills in a shooting. If I have time, I'll try to decapitate my victims with a knife to turn the injuries into deaths."While Ye alleged the manifesto is fiction, police, school counselors and a confidential witness said it mirrors Ye's life. The police chief pointed to Ye's internet activity that included searches for nearby gun range locations and the minimum age to enter them, as well as information about AR-15s and the novel, "Forgive me."Jones said Ye wrote that he wanted to become a serial killer instead of a mass murderer because "serial killers are romanticized a lot more.""This situation highlights the critical importance of vigilance and community involvement in preventing potential tragedies," Jones said.On March 6, Jones said, officers evaluated Ye at his home and took him to a hospital on an Emergency Evaluation Petition.Video below: Student charged with threat of mass violenceOn March 13, Jones said, investigators spoke with school staff, who talked about Ye's preoccupation with self-harm, school shootings and explosives."He clearly had mental health issues. I think it would be worth our while to figure out when could we have known and when we should have possibly intervened," Montgomery County Executive Marc Erhlich said.On March 19, Jones said, investigators went to the hospital, but Ye declined to talk. Jones said hospital staff told investigators that Ye searched on Discord for mass shootings and school shootings.Based on the manifesto and the online searches, Jones said officers executed a search warrant of Ye's home on March 21 and seized his cellphone, iPad and laptop. Jones said Discord messages revealed searches for similar school shootings and drawings that police said depict shootings.Among other things, police said Ye searched, "What counts as a terroristic threat?"Jones said police coordinated with the school system to increase security at schools, particularly Wootton.The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office obtained an arrest warrant on April 16, and Ye was taken into custody on April 17.Jones credited all authorities involved with patience, saying they didn't rush to judgment."It is our role in public safety to make sure that these individuals get the help that they need in times of crisis," Jones said. School officials said Ye has not physically attended school since 2022 and has been taking lessons online.According to police charging documents, Ye was hospitalized in 2022 for threatening to "shoot up a school," homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Police said Ye was released in January 2023 but was still preoccupied with self-harm, school shootings and explosives. Professional hospital staff and school counselors cooperated with police.Montgomery County Public Schools posted a statement online on Thursday, calling the charges extremely serious."Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is aware of the arrest of a student from Thomas S. Wootton High School by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The charges are extremely serious, involving alleged threats to harm others. We value and appreciate the close collaboration between MCPS and MCPD in this matter, which is an example of our shared commitment to identify and address potential threats with due process before they materialize. "The student, who has not physically attended an MCPS school since the fall of 2022, has been actively participating in lessons through a virtual program called Online Pathways to Graduation."This matter is an ongoing police investigation, and because of student privacy law (FERPA), MCPS cannot share any other information. It is important to understand that student privacy regulations are not a matter of arbitrary discretion but are instead firmly established by federal law. Specifically, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) serves as a safeguard, prohibiting the disclosure of specific information pertaining to disciplinary actions or educational records. While this may understandably pose frustrations, particularly in contexts where transparency is desired, it's crucial to recognize that these regulations are in place to uphold the safety and privacy rights of all students, even those who may be subjects of a criminal investigation. "MCPD and MCPS regularly collaborate to support student safety and ensure a high level of safety for the entire community."
GAITHERSBURG, Md. —
Montgomery County police released a timeline of details into the investigation of a high school student who is charged with threats of mass violence.
"A potential catastrophic event was prevented," Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said at a news conference Friday morning. "We prevented this from even sort of getting to the next level and prevented it from happening."
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In a joint investigation with the FBI, Montgomery County police said they discovered a manifesto written by Andrea Ye, 18, of Rockville, whose preferred name is Alex Ye.
Authorities said the writing was about committing mass shootings at two Rockville schools: Wootton High School, which Ye had attended online, and Lakewood Elementary School, which Ye attended.
During a bail review Friday afternoon, prosecutors declared there is no greater threat to community safety than Ye, and the judge agreed, denying bail.
Ye's parents both have PhDs and work from home for the federal government. Ye's mother occasionally shook her head in disbelief while his father stared ahead.
Ye answered the judge's questions with a strong yes or no and ultimately chose not to speak on the advice of his lawyer.
Prosecutors read from the 18-page police charging document, emphasizing how Ye talked and wrote about how much fun it would be to "shoot up schools" to see them all dead and committing suicide by cop.
"It was the escalating intensity and planning that was cited by the judge," Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said. "She felt that releasing the defendant under any terms of conditions she could create, the community could not be made safe."
"The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in the commitment to identify, investigate and prosecute those who seek to harm the most vulnerable among us. I can say with complete conviction, threats made against school children will not be tolerated," said Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.
Earlier in the morning, the police chief provided a timeline of the investigation.
On March 3, Jones said, the Baltimore County Police Department called the Rockville City Police Department to check on the welfare of Ye based on information about a threat that was made. Jones said Rockville police officers went to the Ye residence, but the suspect's father denied officers' entry.
On March 4, Jones said, Rockville police notified Montgomery County police, at which time, the crisis intervention team started investigating based on the information received and the alleged threats Ye made with regard to Wootton and Lakewood.
Jones said police discovered Ye shared a 129-page manifesto via Google Docs with another person, who is the witness who ultimately called police. After the Rockville police visit, Ye rescinded the witness' access to the Google Docs account, Jones said.
Video below: Police news conference
Jones said Ye wrote on the social media chat app, Discord: "My friend reported me to the police for a book I am writing."
According to police charging documents obtained by 11 News, the alleged manifesto included writings that said, in part:
"I want to shoot up a school. I've been preparing for months. The gun is an AR-15. This gun is going to change lives tomorrow ... As I walk through the hallways, I cherry pick the classrooms that are the easiest targets. I need to figure out how to sneak the gun in. I have contemplated making bombs. The instructions to make them are surprisingly available online. I have also considered shooting up my former elementary school because little kids make easier targets. High school's the best target; I'm the most familiar with the layout. I pace around my room like an evil mastermind. I've put so much effort into this. My ultimate goal would be to set the world record for the most amount of kills in a shooting. If I have time, I'll try to decapitate my victims with a knife to turn the injuries into deaths."
While Ye alleged the manifesto is fiction, police, school counselors and a confidential witness said it mirrors Ye's life.
The police chief pointed to Ye's internet activity that included searches for nearby gun range locations and the minimum age to enter them, as well as information about AR-15s and the novel, "Forgive me."
Jones said Ye wrote that he wanted to become a serial killer instead of a mass murderer because "serial killers are romanticized a lot more."
"This situation highlights the critical importance of vigilance and community involvement in preventing potential tragedies," Jones said.
On March 6, Jones said, officers evaluated Ye at his home and took him to a hospital on an Emergency Evaluation Petition.
Video below: Student charged with threat of mass violence
On March 13, Jones said, investigators spoke with school staff, who talked about Ye's preoccupation with self-harm, school shootings and explosives.
"He clearly had mental health issues. I think it would be worth our while to figure out when could we have known and when we should have possibly intervened," Montgomery County Executive Marc Erhlich said.
On March 19, Jones said, investigators went to the hospital, but Ye declined to talk. Jones said hospital staff told investigators that Ye searched on Discord for mass shootings and school shootings.
Based on the manifesto and the online searches, Jones said officers executed a search warrant of Ye's home on March 21 and seized his cellphone, iPad and laptop. Jones said Discord messages revealed searches for similar school shootings and drawings that police said depict shootings.
Among other things, police said Ye searched, "What counts as a terroristic threat?"
Jones said police coordinated with the school system to increase security at schools, particularly Wootton.
The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office obtained an arrest warrant on April 16, and Ye was taken into custody on April 17.
Jones credited all authorities involved with patience, saying they didn't rush to judgment.
"It is our role in public safety to make sure that these individuals get the help that they need in times of crisis," Jones said.
School officials said Ye has not physically attended school since 2022 and has been taking lessons online.
According to police charging documents, Ye was hospitalized in 2022 for threatening to "shoot up a school," homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Police said Ye was released in January 2023 but was still preoccupied with self-harm, school shootings and explosives. Professional hospital staff and school counselors cooperated with police.
Montgomery County Public Schools posted a statement online on Thursday, calling the charges extremely serious.
"Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is aware of the arrest of a student from Thomas S. Wootton High School by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The charges are extremely serious, involving alleged threats to harm others. We value and appreciate the close collaboration between MCPS and MCPD in this matter, which is an example of our shared commitment to identify and address potential threats with due process before they materialize.
"The student, who has not physically attended an MCPS school since the fall of 2022, has been actively participating in lessons through a virtual program called Online Pathways to Graduation.
"This matter is an ongoing police investigation, and because of student privacy law (FERPA), MCPS cannot share any other information. It is important to understand that student privacy regulations are not a matter of arbitrary discretion but are instead firmly established by federal law. Specifically, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) serves as a safeguard, prohibiting the disclosure of specific information pertaining to disciplinary actions or educational records. While this may understandably pose frustrations, particularly in contexts where transparency is desired, it's crucial to recognize that these regulations are in place to uphold the safety and privacy rights of all students, even those who may be subjects of a criminal investigation.
"MCPD and MCPS regularly collaborate to support student safety and ensure a high level of safety for the entire community."
Call to police in Baltimore area leads to arrest of Rockville student accused of school threat plot
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