Police Halt Alleged School Shooting Plot Discovered on Instagram

Law enforcement officers arrested three Michigan teens last week after discovering a school shooting plot on Instagram, according to reports.

The three teens were targeting Linden High School and nearby Linden Middle School around 65 miles outside of Detroit, Argentine Township Police officials told NBC News Sunday. Prosecutors charged Ryan Stevens, 18, and two 15-year-olds with first-degree murder and false report or threat of terrorism.

The teens had access to weapons and had planned to obtain more, according to NBC News. The students had planned the shooting for October 30 and information about their plot was obtained two days prior. Police would not say specifically what was posted to Instagram that tipped them off.

“Sadly, these things happen a lot across the country and you have to take them seriously,” Argentine Township Police Chief Daniel Allen told USA Today. “I took it seriously. The FBI took it seriously. Obviously, by the charges, the prosecutor took it seriously.”

[NBC News]