FBI agents swooped in to arrest an Oregon teenager who planned to bomb and shoot victims at Washington’s Three Rivers Mall, uncovering detailed plans, weapons, and extremist connections.
At a Glance
- A Columbia County, Oregon teenager was arrested for plotting a mass shooting and bombing at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington
- The FBI arrested the suspect on May 22, just three days after receiving a tip about the planned attack
- The teen had created detailed plans including mall maps, an escape route, and intended to use a homemade chlorine bomb followed by firearms
- Authorities seized three handguns, ammunition, knives, and digital devices from the teen’s residence
- The suspect had pledged allegiance to “nihilistic, violent extremist groups” online
Swift Action Prevents Mall Massacre
The FBI and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office successfully thwarted what could have been a devastating attack at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington. The plot, orchestrated by a juvenile resident of Columbia County, Oregon, involved a calculated plan to detonate a homemade chlorine bomb inside the mall, create panic, and then systematically shoot fleeing patrons. Law enforcement officials acted decisively after receiving information about the planned attack on May 19, 2025, making contact with the suspect at their residence just three days later on May 22.
FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson emphasized the gravity of the situation during a news conference. “This plot was as serious as it gets,” Olson stated. “We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his age, allegedly planned to detonate a chlorine bomb to create chaos and panic before shooting fleeing patrons exiting a movie theater, the FBI Portland Field Office said in a statement. https://t.co/IORwVV1APS
— WSIL News (@WSILNews) June 7, 2025
Detailed Planning and Extremist Ties
The investigation revealed that the teenager had been meticulously planning the attack since early 2025. On May 17, just two days before authorities were alerted, the suspect posted detailed plans online. These included maps of the mall, a predetermined route for the attack, specifications for an improvised chlorine bomb, and a strategy to shoot mall patrons before ultimately committing suicide at a specific location within the building. The teen’s online presence revealed troubling connections to extremist ideologies.
“The suspect pledged allegiance to several online nihilistic, violent extremist groups and ideologies,” said Douglas A. Olson, FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge.
When FBI Portland SWAT officers and Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies made contact with the subject at their residence, they discovered a concerning arsenal ready for deployment. Law enforcement seized three handguns, ammunition, four knives, clothing designated for the assault, and five digital devices. The suspect had specifically planned to target moviegoers and other mall patrons, with a detailed sequence of actions that included a route through the mall and tactical positions to shoot victims as they fled.
‘As serious as it gets’: FBI stops Oregon teen’s plot to bomb and shoot shoppers at WA mall | his plans to set off an explosive at a shopping mall in Washington and shoot people as they fled the movie theater https://t.co/IgRNZeVhdK
— Heartland Journal® 🎙️🗞️🇺🇸 (@millcreekview) June 6, 2025
Legal Proceedings and Public Safety
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office is currently handling the case, with charges pending in juvenile court. Though cases involving juveniles are typically adjudicated in juvenile court, authorities are evaluating whether this case merits transfer to adult court given the severity and sophistication of the planned attack. The FBI has not disclosed the source of the tip that led to the investigation but emphasized the crucial role of community vigilance and interagency cooperation in preventing mass violence.
This incident follows a similar case in Bend, Oregon, where law enforcement recently arrested a man for threatening a mass shooting. The FBI continues to highlight the importance of public reporting of suspicious activities. The investigation demonstrates how federal, state, and local agencies can effectively work together to identify and neutralize threats before they materialize into tragedies. The teen’s plot represents a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by ideologically motivated violence and the vital importance of early intervention.
