(ProsperNews.net) – FBI agents and local law enforcement thwarted a carefully planned mass shooting and bombing at a Washington state mall, arresting an Oregon teenager just days after receiving a crucial tip about the plot.
At a Glance
- A Columbia County, Oregon teenager was arrested for planning a mass shooting and bombing at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington
- The FBI received information about the plot on May 19 and made the arrest on May 22, 2025
- Law enforcement seized weapons, ammunition, detailed mall schematics, and bomb-making materials
- The teen had pledged allegiance to nihilistic extremist groups and posted detailed plans online
- The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office is determining whether to try the suspect as an adult
Swift Law Enforcement Action Prevents Tragedy
Federal and local law enforcement agencies successfully prevented what could have been a devastating attack at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington. On May 22, 2025, FBI Portland SWAT agents arrested a juvenile resident of Columbia County, Oregon, who had meticulously planned a mass shooting and bombing at the shopping center. The arrest came just three days after the FBI received crucial information about the plot on May 19, demonstrating the rapid response capabilities of federal authorities working in conjunction with local law enforcement.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson described the juvenile suspect as someone who had “pledged allegiance to several online nihilistic, violent extremist groups and ideologies.” The investigation revealed the teen had been developing the attack plan since early 2025 and had posted detailed intentions online as recently as May 17, just days before their arrest.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his age, allegedly planned to detonate a chlorine bomb to create chaos and panic before shooting fleeing patrons exiting a movie theater, the FBI Portland Field Office said in a statement. https://t.co/IORwVV1APS
— WSIL News (@WSILNews) June 7, 2025
Detailed Plot Targeted Mall Visitors
The investigation uncovered alarming evidence of the teenager’s intentions. According to law enforcement, the suspect planned to detonate a homemade chlorine bomb inside the mall to create panic before proceeding to shoot fleeing moviegoers and mall patrons. The teen had created detailed schematics of the mall, mapped out a specific route for the attack, and even designated a location within the facility where they planned to end the assault by committing suicide.
“This plot was as serious as it gets,” said Doug Olson of the FBI Portland office. “We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”
When FBI SWAT personnel contacted the suspect at their residence, they discovered a substantial cache of weapons and materials. The seized items included three handguns, ammunition, four knives, clothing specifically set aside for the assault, and five digital devices containing evidence of the plot. Most concerning was the presence of materials intended for creating an improvised explosive device designed to disperse chlorine gas throughout the mall.
Legal Proceedings and Community Response
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office is currently handling the case, with charges pending against the juvenile suspect. Authorities have not yet announced whether the teen will be charged as an adult, a process that remains rare and difficult in such cases. The legal system now faces the challenge of appropriately addressing the serious nature of the planned attack while considering the suspect’s age and mental state.
This incident follows a similar case in Bend, Oregon, where another individual was recently arrested for threatening a mass shooting. Law enforcement officials emphasized that community vigilance played a crucial role in preventing both potential tragedies. While the FBI has not disclosed the specific source of the tip that led to the teen’s arrest, they highlighted the importance of public reporting and interagency cooperation in stopping violent plots before they can be executed.
The thwarted attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of ideologically motivated violence and the critical importance of the “see something, say something” approach to public safety. Federal authorities continue to investigate the suspect’s online activities and connections to extremist groups that may have influenced their violent intentions.
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