FBI Stops Teen's Attack Plot at WA Mall

The FBI and Columbia County, Oregon law enforcement arrested a teenage boy on May 22, 2025, for plotting a mass shooting and bombing at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington. Authorities discovered the suspect's detailed plans, which included using a chlorine bomb to incite panic and then shooting fleeing patrons, after monitoring his online chats about nihilistic extremist ideology. The FBI began surveillance following a tip on May 19 and, during a raid, seized annotated schematics, three pistols, knives, ammunition, digital devices, and clothing intended for the attack. Investigators determined that the suspect had both the intent and the means to carry out the plot, which he had been planning since early in the year. The teen was charged as a juvenile, and law enforcement emphasized the importance of public vigilance and open discussions about online behavior to prevent similar threats. The Columbia County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting the case.