28.03.2024

Texas Teen Arrested For Planning Mall Shooting Spree

Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old high school student who was allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Texas shopping mall. Matin Azizi-Yarand has been taken into custody and charged with terrorism for plotting an attack at the Stonebriar Centre in Frisco.

The shooting was allegedly set to happen sometime in May.

Azizi-Yarand is said to have spent $1,400 on weapons and tactical gear for his attack.

Law enforcement officials have obtained the Plano High School student’s “manifesto” in which he allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS. Authorities said that Azizi-Yarand was also trying to solicit others into joining him on the mass shooting spree, though affidavits suggest that he wanted to be a “lone wolf.”

“The FBI is not aware of any additional threats associated with this arrest”, explained FBI special agent Eric K. Jackson. “The American people can take comfort in knowing that we continue to work diligently to protect and defend the United States and to ensure the safety of the communities we serve.”

Matin Azizi Yarand

According to an affidavit, the case began in December 2017 when Azizi-Yarand started communicating with an FBI source in a mobile messaging app. It is here that Azizi-Yarand allegedly expressed his desire to commit an attack, adding that he had been reading ISIS guides for “performing operations and making bombs.”

Azizi-Yarand had reportedly also been reviewing a guide to making pipe bombs which was authored by Eric Harris, one of the attackers in teh 1999 shooting at Columbine High School.

“This case exemplifies the wide reach terrorist groups have through social media and other means”, said Chief Gregory Rushin of the Plano Police Department, “to radicalize others in communities across our country.”

In his earliest conversations with the FBI’s source, Azizi-Yarand allegedly said, “It is not about how many kill, but how much money you will make these countries spend in security just for a simple attack… although having a high number will get their attention.”

“I want to put America in the state that Europe is in, which is having to have soldiers deployed in streets”, Azizi-Yarand added, according to an affidavit. “Something that will cost them a lot financially too.”

“We are fortunate that the brave men and women of local and federal law enforcement work around the clock to prevent acts of terrorism and mass shootings”, said Collin County district attorney Greg Willis.

In multiple conversations with the FBI’s source, Azizi-Yarand allegedly said that he hoped to travel to Pakistan, and then cross the border into Afghanistan in order to officially join ISIS. He also allegedly said that he would use the mobile messaging app to find others who could help him with an attack.

Azizi-Yarand invited the FBI source to Dallas late last year. “There is a Hindu temple I want to shoot up”, the suspect allegedly said, asking for help. “Get some crappy car and ditch it somewhere. Police response time here is really slow.” He said that he was waiting until he obtained a “proper gun” to commit that shooting.

The suspect then began speaking with an undercover FBI agent in January 2018. Azizi-Yarand allegedly told the agent and the FBI source that he had two other men who were “serious about this”, but he was waiting until he turned 18 years old so that he could buy guns. Azizi-Yarand’s birthday is in November.

Azizi-Yarand was said to be in contact with an ISIS member, who told him, “guns are simple, just open fire” when the suspect expressed concern about being untrained. “How hard can it be to spray down a big crowd of people? Las Vegas the dude was just blind firing. And got 100.”

When looking into potential targets, Azizi-Yarand allegedly also considered a school. “School is a perfect place for an attack. Crowded and close quarters”, he said. “Even a blind man could take 10 easily. Just fire where u hear screams.”

However, the Stonebriar Centre appears to have been picked as the target in March. Azizi-Yarand allegedly told the FBI source that he had been observing the layout of the building, the number of security officers there, and the regular movements of the shopping mall’s patrons. He allegedly also planned to set some stores on fire.

“I’d actually like to make a cop surrender and drop his gun”, Azizi-Yarand allegedly said to the FBI source. “Then, douse him with gasoline and burn him. Record it.”

If he is convicted, Azizi-Yarand could face up to life in prison for criminal solicitation and up to 10 years in prison for making a terroristic threat. His bond has been set at a total of $3 million.

Chief John Bruce of the Frisco Police Department added, “The facts of this case, though alarming, serve as an example of the power of cooperation and the importance of each individual remaining vigilant in the spirit of see ‘something, say something.’ I would like to thank all the local and federal partners who worked on this case.”

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