The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect in a shooting at Freeman High School outside Spokane, Washington, that left one student dead and three others injured Wednesday was “obsessed” with school shootings. ??
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich wore two loops of powder blue and white ribbon—the school’s colors—pinned to this chest as he briefed reporters in front of the courthouse. He said the 15-year-old suspected gunman got “sucked into a counter culture of violence.” ??
“The more social media stuff we dig into—this looks like this kid got enamored by the - the school shooting culture.” Knezovich said. ??
According to a court affidavit, student testimony also indicated the 15-year-old “brag[ged] of owning multiple pistols” and offered to show a friend how to make improvised explosive devices out of white gas and various chemicals. ??
The evidence didn’t surprise Knezovich. ?? ??
“Not at all," he said. "You can find anything on the internet.” ??
The affidavit also described the crime scene inside Freeman High School. Numerous cartridge casings consistent with handgun caliber were scattered across the floor of the school's second floor hallway, where the shooting took place.
The high school sophomore identified as the shooter has been charged with one count of first degree murder and three counts of attempted murder in the first degree. ?? ??
Knezovich said the suspect’s home was also searched, but did not provide further details. The suspect’s mother reported what a detective called a suicide note inside the house. It was written over a week ago. ??
The suspect is detained at a juvenile detention center in Spokane.