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Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old Plano High School student identified as Matin Azizi Yarand who was allegedly planning a mass shooting at Stonebriar Centre shopping mall in Frisco, North Texas; according to reports, the alleged shooting was planned to take place sometime this upcoming May. Officials were alerted to the plan when they found Yarand’s “manifesto,” that gave more information to the planned attack.
What happened?
According to police, the “manifesto” supposedly claimed that Yarand swore allegiance to ISIS. Authorities also believed that he was planning on recruiting others into helping him with the planned mass shooting spree, although authorities otherwise believed he wanted to be a “lone wolf.”
According to CBS 11, Yarand was believed to have spent $1,400 on weapons for the planned attack.
According to Dallas News, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis issued the following statements in a news release:
“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.”
“I’d like to thank the FBI’s North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Frisco and Plano Police Departments for their efforts in this case and their vigilance in protecting the citizens of Collin County.”
Frisco Police Chief John Bruce also issued the following statement:
“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.'”
Who is Matin Azizi Yarand?
Yarand, whose name has also been stylized as “Matin Azizi-Yarand,” was a 17-year-old student at Plano High School in North Texas.
As mentioned, a manifesto developed by Yarand gave details about himself and the planned attack; in addition to allegedly pledging himself to ISIS, he reportedly also wrote a “Message to America” that supposedly listed his reasons for planning the attack.
At this time, Yarand faces charges of making a terroristic threat and criminal solicitation of capital murder; currently being held with bail set at $3 million, he could face up to life in prison if convicted.