FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday revealed that his team stopped a potential mass shooting at a preschool, after a North Carolina man allegedly threatened to massacre a group of 20 black preschoolers.Â
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Zachary Charles Newell, was taken into federal custody on Monday and charged with interstate threat to kidnap or injure, according to Fox News. The threat was allegedly made on YouTube on Aug. 27.
Newell posted a comment under the username “CommentatorsHateMe,” where he allegedly stated his intention to “shoot up” a preschool, injuring or killing 20 black children. He also made a racist threat online the day before. No specific school was named.
“Threats of violence against children are beyond unacceptable acts of cowardice,” Patel told the outlet. “The FBI worked quickly with our partners in Carteret County [North Carolina] to ensure this individual was taken into custody before he could act.Â
“Parents should know we will never hesitate to respond with urgency to protect their kids, their schools, and their communities,” he added.
The arrest comes after two children were killed in a mass shooting in Minneapolis last month, where a shooter opened fire on a Catholic school while students were attending mass. The alleged shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.Â
