FBI thwarts teen's plans for mass shooting and bomb attack at WA mall

A juvenile from Columbia County, Oregon, is in custody following the discovery of a meticulously planned mass shooting and bombing plot targeting the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington.

The FBI’s Portland Field Office, working with local law enforcement, arrested the suspect on the morning of May 22, 2025. Due to the individual’s age, the suspect’s name has not been released.

According to officials, the FBI received a tip on May 19 about an imminent threat. Investigators quickly identified the source and discovered that a local teen had shared plans for the attack in online chats and exhibited what the FBI described as a “nihilistic violent extremist ideology.”

Over the next two days, the FBI and its partners monitored the juvenile under court-authorized surveillance. By May 22, agents and deputies executed a federal search warrant and arrested the suspect before the plan could be carried out.

Authorities say the plot included detailed blueprints of the mall, a designated attack route, and a plan to use a chlorine-based improvised explosive device to spark panic. The suspect allegedly intended to open fire on moviegoers as they fled the theater, then take their own life at a predetermined location inside the mall. The suspect even planned their wardrobe.

“This plot was as serious as it gets,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”

Law enforcement described the suspect’s preparations as alarmingly advanced, stating there was no indication the teen was not serious about following through.

The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case under state law. The FBI emphasized the importance of public vigilance and encouraged parents to stay engaged in their children’s online activity.

“Community safety depends on early detection and intervention,” Olson added. “We urge anyone who sees something suspicious to speak up.”

The juvenile suspect is being held pending further legal proceedings.