Martinsville, Indiana (WABC) — An 18-year-old high school student, Trinity Shockley, was arrested Thursday for allegedly planning a mass shooting at her school on Valentine’s Day.
Shockley, from Mooresville, Indiana, faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder, intimidation, and conspiracy to commit intimidation. She is being held without bond at the Morgan County Jail.
Authorities were tipped off about Shockley’s plans after the FBI’s Sandy Hook Promise Say Something Anonymous Reporting System received a tip. The tipster claimed that Shockley had access to an AR-15 rifle, had ordered a bulletproof vest, and was obsessed with Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting.
Court documents reveal that Shockley had been planning the attack for over a year, referring to it as “Parkland part two.” She had reportedly made several disturbing statements about Cruz, even claiming to be sexually attracted to him and planning to have children with him.
Shockley had sought mental health counseling at Mooresville High School just days before her arrest, disclosing her obsession with Cruz and revealing a heart-shaped locket with his photo. Investigators also discovered troubling images and symbols in her room, including photos of mass murderers, illustrations of swastikas, and violent messages in her notebooks.
Police conducted a search of Shockley’s home, where they found AR-15 magazines, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest. Despite initially claiming she was “joking,” Shockley’s social media posts contained threats and violent messages linking her to plans of committing a school shooting.
The Mooresville School District has confirmed that Shockley will not be returning to school, and local police have detailed her past struggles with bullying and mental health. Shockley’s father reportedly denied her access to mental health resources, despite her previous attempts to seek help.
The case highlights concerns over mental health issues, bullying, and the alarming prevalence of violent ideations among troubled youth. Shockley’s mental health struggles, which began after a serious car accident in 2022, had reportedly led to suicidal thoughts in the past.
Shockley remains in custody, and no court date has been set at this time.
